Actress and singer HELEN HOBSON has recently joined the West End cast of The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, playing Madame Giry.
Helen’s theatre credits include the original West End cast of Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre, Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre, Prince of Wales Theatre and in the UK and international tour.
Other West End credits include Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre and on a UK tour, the UK premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion at the Queen’s Theatre, Chess at the Prince Edward Theatre and Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre.
Other theatre credits include The Human Comedy at the Young Vic, The Sound of Music at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Sunny Afternoon at the Hampstead Theatre, Only the Brave at the Wales Millennium Centre, The Lady in the Van and Stepping Out, both at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and UK tours of Cats and My Fair Lady.
Here Helen continues Musical Theatre Review’s interview series: Five Questions With…
You have recently joined the cast of The Phantom of the Opera, at his Majesty’s Theatre, playing Madame Giry. What is it like joining a long-running production like this one, in comparison to originating a role – we appreciate you have done both!
Joining a long-running show like Phantom is wonderful, to be able to step into an iconic show that has been cherished by audiences worldwide is an absolute treat. I believe it comes with a sense of responsibility to respect its legacy, while appreciating the opportunity of my being able to bring my interpretation and nuances to a role, adding a fresh perspective, while still staying true to the essence of the character. This part of the work is perhaps similar to creating a role. Both are challenging and rewarding, making each experience uniquely fulfilling.
Is Phantom a show you always fancied being a part of and what has your approach been to your character?
No! It has been a relatively new opportunity that I was asked to consider only recently. Fitness, health and wellness have always been part of my approach to my work but interestingly I upped my focus over the last few years to not only employ fitness coaches but mindset and mental health professionals which has really helped me to manage expectations and approaches to my work. Added to that, the creative team has offered me exceptional support and attention to detail during the rehearsal process. Finding Madame Giry’s physicality and voice has been a big part of the approach too and I have loved the input and connection with the ballet girls. Then onto her costume, the many notes and letters!! And then to her hair? My beautiful wig. She came together!
During your successful career, you have embraced the classics and new work, is that something you’ve always felt strongly about?
No, I don’t think so, I have considered each opportunity that comes up and if the work has appealed to me, then I have moved towards it, regardless of its genre.
What advice would you give young performers trying to make a career in musical theatre in the current climate?
It is a tough yet rewarding career. There are no guarantees. I think I have achieved longevity in the business due to several factors. Keeping fit and healthy is an important part of my process, as I have mentioned, both mentally and physically. It is wonderful to see how support within this field has grown over the last few years and the opportunity for performers to reach out to organisations like Industry Minds and Applause for Thought, is, I believe, a vital part of our preparation and maintenance. Having other interests that light me up as much as my acting work does has been an important part of my journey. I would also include that saying yes to new, exciting and varied opportunities early on in my career allowed me to begin to learn and fine tune my craft, and meeting and developing professional, lasting, working relationships with people within the industry has been a joy.
You have an association with a whole host of hugely popular and groundbreaking musicals, is there a particular highlight or memory you would like to share with our readers?
Highlights and memories? So, so many! A very recent one was actually at the finals for Phantom. When meeting Cameron Mackintosh again after many years, he asked when the last time we saw and worked together was. I was able to tell him, it was when I was a little boy on the barricade in the third cast of Les Misérables! He reached out, took my hand and said: “and what a lot we have been doing in between, and aren’t we lucky to still be doing it.”
And do you know, I believe we are!
- The Phantom of the Opera continues at His Majesty’s Theatre, London. Tickets are available HERE.
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