I now have the pleasure to interview Hannah Scregg, a fellow theatre fan and an aspiring performer who tells me her ambitions to perform on stage.
Hannah Scregg (Photo Credit: Darren Bell)
Please tell me how you got into musical
theatre/theatre in general?
I think I’d
always been interested in performing; I still have the videos of a 4-year-old
me in my first nativity play at school and I wasn’t afraid to throw myself into
it to say the least! I continued to take part in school plays through infant
and junior school, as well as joining the dance club, but it wasn’t until I saw
my first West End show, The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, aged 11,
that my interest really took off. I was so inspired by the wonderful
performances I’d experienced that day, and, having just started secondary
school at the time, I made sure that I took every performance opportunity that
arose. I think I was 12 when I went into an audition room for the first time;
funnily enough, it was for one of the younger Von Trapp children in my school
production of The Sound of Music. I didn’t get it, but I was in the chorus for
the show, and I was in the chorus for the main school musical every year for
the five years I was there.
I think it
was probably at about the age of 14 that I decided to take my interest further;
I joined the school choir, took up singing lessons and started to look for
groups which I could do outside of school. At the age of 15, I started at a
local youth musical theatre group and at the Saturday School at Guildford
School of Acting; it was at this point that I properly started dance classes
too and I’ve never really looked back since!
What have been the highlights of your musical
theatre journey?
It’s very
hard to pick just a few! I’d probably have to say that seeing my first West End
show was a very special experience, but Wicked was the third show I saw in the
West End and it had an impact on me like nothing ever had before. I went as a
part of a school trip; I’m very thankful that I did as I might never have
discovered it otherwise! I also have to say that seeing both The Phantom of the
Opera and Les Miserables for the first time are experiences I will treasure for
life; my love for them both only increases every time I see them. My first ever
Stage Door photo was with Kerry Ellis after I saw her as Nancy in Oliver, so the
memories of that will stay with me for a long time. Also, going to the Royal
Albert Hall to see her in her ‘Anthems’ tour was very special; at present, it’s
the only time I’ve been to that venue, and it really is a very beautiful
building. In fact, I find that the first time I visit any theatrical venue or
experience a particular show or theatre related event is always something I
remember for a long time afterwards.
Having the
chance to go to the Whatsonstage Awards and to the Covent Garden Piazza for the
Olivier Awards were also extremely incredible experiences, just getting to be a
part of two of the biggest events in the theatre calendar was a dream! West End
Live too, that’s always an excellent weekend!
Oh, and of
course, making my own West End debut in a summer school showcase at Her
Majesty’s Theatre in 2011 was a life-changing moment; I remember bursting into
tears during the dress rehearsal onstage because it was the fulfilment of a
dream I’d had for so long.
What shows do you recommend that are currently
playing in the West End or regionally?
Well, I have
to say that my top three are definitely Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera
and Wicked, and I’d recommend those to absolutely everyone! Definitely Once as
well, such a special and unique experience. Other shows I’ve thoroughly enjoyed
include Matilda, and away from musical theatre, The 39 Steps; it’s absolutely
brilliant! I think The Jersey Boys and We Will Rock You are the best of the jukebox
musicals, but, so far, it’s very rare that I’ve come out of a show
disappointed, so I’d just say that everybody should try to see as many
different shows as possible.
Are there any shows that you haven’t seen that
you would like to?
There are
quite a few on my list at the moment! I haven’t seen Book of Mormon yet so I
definitely want to see that at some point. I’d like to try and see the likes of
The Commitments, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Miss Saigon when the
revival opens later this year. I’m gutted that I never got the chance to see
The Light Princess; I’ve seen so many stunning reviews and I would have jumped
at the opportunity to go had one arose.
What have been your theatrical highlights in
2013?
Myself with Lindsay Mendez (bottom, Elphaba)
and Tiffany Haas (top, Standby Glinda)
Photo Credit: Hannah Scregg
I think a definite highlight for me has to be
going to New York for the first time and seeing three Broadway shows, dream
come true! I saw Newsies, Annie and Wicked, and I was lucky enough to meet
Lindsay Mendez and Tiffany Haas at the Gershwin Theater Stage Door after Wicked!
Seeing Once
for the first time also stands out to me, I came out completely heartbroken but
absolutely overwhelmed at the sheer beauty of the piece. I also think that getting
the chance to go inside the tent at Chichester’s ‘Theatre in the Park’ when I
went to see Barnum was so magical, definitely a theatrical experience like no
other! I’ve seen several other shows for the first time this year, including
Hairspray, Singin’ In The Rain and The Lion King, and I can honestly say that
seeing something for the first time is definitely a memory I always treasure;
first experiences of a show always hold a special place in my heart! A Chorus
Line at the London Palladium was also a highlight for me this year; probably
one of the most ridiculously talented casts I have ever seen, I was absolutely
overwhelmed with emotion during certain points. It was extremely relatable and
touching, I’d recommend it to anyone if it hadn’t finished its run.
This year I
got the chance to step inside a West End dressing room for the first time; on
the day of my West End Showcase I visited the dressing rooms of Raoul,
Christine and Meg, and it really felt so special to be in there! I also got the
chance to have a Phantom of the Opera ‘Masquerade’ workshop with Anna Forbes,
who was the current Meg at the time, which was a wonderful experience.
I’d also have
to say that a very special moment for me was at the Stage Door of the Yvonne
Arnaud Theatre after the concert of A Little Night Music; my favourite Cosette
and one of my favourite Christines were both there and my photo with both of
them has pride of place in my sparkly frame!
Myself with Olivia Brereton (left) and
Lisa-Anne Wood
Photo Credit: Hannah Scregg
What show are you planning to see next?
I’m
definitely planning to see Wicked again as soon as I can; Savannah Stevenson, the current
Glinda, was my acting teacher when I first started attending the GSA Saturday
School so I’m going to be so proud when I see her up there! I’m also almost
certainly going to end up at The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables again
soon; Olivia Brereton is one of my favourites in the role of Christine so I
definitely need to see her again while she’s there. In terms of new shows, I’m
going to try and see the revival of Miss Saigon during the summer holidays
sometime, as well as attempting to tick off some of the shows I mentioned above
that I haven’t seen yet.
I also just
have to say that I’m extremely grateful to have met so many wonderful friends
through my passion for musical theatre. It’s a true honour to be part of the
close-knit community and it’s always lovely to find those who share my passion
so we can discuss shows, share opinions and experiences and go on trips to the
theatre or related events, so thank you!
May I take the opportunity to thank Hannah for taking part in the interview. Have a great musical theatre going and performing 2014!
