The actress spoke to Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon about starring in Seussical the Musical at the Southwark Playhouse.
Hi Amy, thanks so much for talking to me. What can audiences expect from Seussical The Musical? Seussical The Musical is a vibrant, lively, funny and touching adventure into the world of Dr Seuss – it is a wonderful story with strong messages told through relatable yet larger-than-life characters, and there’s something for an audience of any age!
What do you think younger audiences will enjoy the most about the production? There is such a diverse mix of characters – the pace and dynamic of the piece changes constantly because each one comes with their own very specific style and manner, so it’s constantly changing. I think a younger audience will be totally spellbound by the colours and energy that comes with the piece, and it is non-stop! They will see the show as Jojo does and learn about the world through her eyes.
What was it about the story that made you want to be involved with the production? The magic of Dr Seuss is that the stories and messages are timeless – this is one of the most vital things about the source material that is beautifully translated into the show. Each character has their flaws and insecurities – be it their appearance, how they’re treated by others or even parents panicking about how you raise a child – and addressing these in a sensitive and fun manner makes it all seem manageable. That’s what I love about the show – it takes you to a completely different world for 75 minutes but gives you a little warm reassurance that everything will be okay once you’re back in the real world too!
What can you tell me about your character Gertrude? Gertrude starts the show as a quiet, insecure character but through the adventures she finds that other things are more important than letting your appearance or what other people think define you. She is so driven by her love of Horton and her willingness to do anything for him that she finds the strength in herself and realises she is more than how she perceives herself, and that our perceptions of ourselves aren’t always correct!
By Emma Clarendon
Seussical the Musical will play at the Southwark Playhouse from the 22nd November until the 29th December. For more information visit: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show/seussical/