Last week, I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet Louise Dearman, the widely known British musical theatre actress.
Louise is famously the first actress in the history of the worldwide production of hit musical Wicked to have starred as both Glinda & Elphaba and has built up an admirable catalogue of performances both on national tours and in the West End.
We caught up to chat about her No 1 album, her influences, and her upcoming UK tour.
Claire Meadows: Louise, You're incredibly busy at the moment; give us an insight into the next six months in the life of Louise Dearman.
Louise Dearman: I'm having such a wonderful time right now and the next six months looks very exciting!
I'm right in the middle of concert dates at the moment throughout December with Movies and Musicals then my own two shows at the St James Theatre on 16th and 17th December, Friday Night is Music Night with the BBC Concert Orchestra for BBC Radio 2 on 20th December and finishing 2013 with Bond and Beyond in Birmingham then London on 27th and 28th December.
I've just released my third album 'It's Time' and so I'm taking that album on my first UK tour next year with my own show from Feb- April 2014 and then start rehearsals for Water Babies at The Leicester Curve,all of this has to fit around the the book I'm writing with my friend Mark Evans 'The Secrets Of Stage Success' which will be published early next year too so I have a lot to be getting on with!!
CM: Your album is No 1 on iTunes at the moment- that must be an amazing feeling.
LD: I can't believe the wonderful response 'It's Time' has had. It seemed quite a risk at the time to record such iconic musical theatre songs but it's worked out perfectly and I'm thrilled that it's even being talked about let alone making it to number one in the iTunes vocal charts!!
CM: You mentioned that you're taking part in Radio 2's 'Friday Night is Music Night' on December 20th?
LD: It is always an absolute pleasure to be invited to perform on Friday Night Is Music Night, this will be my third time and I get more and more excited every time!
This is going to be a beautifully festive show with some stunning Christmas songs played by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by the wonderful Larry Blank with me, John Owen-Jones and Capital Voices...I can't wait. It's always such a lovely atmosphere.
CM: You've worked so very hard, and gained such distinction as an actress - what advice do you have for anyone would like to make their own way in the arts?
LD: NEVER wait for the phone to ring,this business is tough enough and there are thousands of people wanting to achieve the same as you so be proactive and constantly think of ways to better yourself and improve yourself as a performer and get yourself out there.
CM: As a young aspiring actress, whose work did you most admire?
LD: As a young girl I absolutely idolised Celine Dion,Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey and wanted to be a pop star more than anything but from the moment I started experiencing musical theatre I knew that was what I wanted to do and then I became aware of actresses like Ruthie Henshall and Linzi Hateley who we're huge influences to me whilst training.
CM: Outside of the theatre, what are your passions?
LD: When I'm not working I love to go to the theatre to watch plays,I love movies and long country walks with my partner Andrew and out two little dogs Alan and Geoffry...ooh and food,I love good food and wine.
Louise Dearman's UK tour 'It's Time' starts on 13th February 2014 in The Octagon Theatre, Somerset and finishes on 11 April 2014 in Courtyard Theatre, Hereford.
Louise will be performing some of her favourite musical theatre songs, live with her band, along with a popular selection of modern and classic showstoppers.
The full list of tour dates can be seen at
http://www.louisedearman.com
@LouiseDearman