EMMA KINGSTON is joining Kim Criswell and Luke Bayer in the Game of Thrones-inspired Tyrell as part of the second MT Fest UK at London’s Turbine Theatre. Written by Alex Ratner and directed by Simon Greiff, the show will be performed on the evenings of Thursday 13, Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February with a matinee on the Saturday.
Emma’s theatre credits include: Eva Peron in the international tour of Evita directed by Hal Prince, New Year Musical Concert (Tokyo Theatre Orb), Rosalia in West Side Story BBC Proms (Royal Albert Hall), Hodel in Fiddler On The Roof (Chichester Festival Theatre), Vanessa in the UK premiere of In the Heights (King’s Cross Theatre/Southwark Playhouse), Pamela/Natasha in Flowers for Mrs Harris (workshop/Chichester Festival Theatre), Ann Duck, The Circle (workshop/National Theatre Studios), Dea in The Grinning Man (workshop), Naomi in 21 Chump Street (Tristan Bates Theatre), ensemble/first cover Eponine in Les Misérables (West End 30th anniversary cast), Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Grease (UK tour) and Clara in The Light in the Piazza. Film/TV credits include: Been So Long (Netflix/Film4/BFI), Sound Of Musicals (BBC Four).
Here Emma continues Musical Theatre Review’s new interview series: Five Questions With…
What’s it like being part of MT Fest UK and how did you get involved?
MT Fest is the craziest, fastest and most fun thing to be a part of. It puts all your skills as an actor to the test such as quick learning and making impulsive choices. I got involved with MT Fest last year, Paul Taylor-Mills was kind enough to ask me to do a ‘Night Cap’, an evening talking about my career thus far and performing a few songs.
This year, I was so excited when he called me and said that he had me in mind for some of the workshops, and I’m so thrilled to be working on both Pippa Cleary and Jake Brunger’s Jet Set Go! and Alex Ratner’s Tyrell.
How important do you think it is to have events like this, to nurture the writers of new musicals and allow them a safe environment within which to try out their work?
I think it’s such a brilliant way of testing out work. A lot of the MT Fest audiences will be huge lovers of musical theatre, how cool will it be to say in 2-3 years time: “I saw that show when…” It allows the creative team to see what works and what doesn’t work. When creating any new piece of work, editing the piece is almost as hard as writing it in the first place and you have to be brutal. Even if it’s the best song in the show, if it isn’t working within the narrative it may face getting cut. Having an audience watch at an early stage of development really helps to drive a piece in the right direction.
Can you tell us about the musical Tyrell? What has the rehearsal process been like?
What is unique about MT Fest is each show is given 12 hours rehearsal before sharing it with an audience. It’s all so much fun. I love a brain challenge and learning new music, so for me it’s right up my street.
We have read a brief synopsis of the story, what role do you play and were you already a Game of Thrones fan?
I am playing the role of Margaery in Tyrell. It’s a musical parody prequel to Game of Thrones, focusing on the back story of the house of Tyrell.
I might be the only person on the planet who hasn’t really watched Game of Thrones so I am going to have to keep doing my research. But what I will say is, the music is epic. You can actually stream the concept album on Spotify, I highly recommend it.
What has been the highlight of your career so far (sorry, impossible question) and can you tell us anything about future projects?
Oh, that’s such a hard one as I have been so lucky in my career so far. I’m going to name two highlights, but there are so many more. Performing as Vanessa in In The Heights for Lin-Manuel Miranda and meeting the legendary Hal Prince in New York after finding out that I would be playing Eva Peron. It’s not often you get to sit and have a cup of tea with a legend. I will treasure that moment forever, especially after losing him this year.
For my next project, I will be playing Luisa in Zorro at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 14 March to 18 April 2020. Other things are bubbling. I’m so excited to see how 2020 unfolds.
Readers may also be interested in:
Casts announced for MTFestUK at the Turbine Theatre – News
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.