Five Questions With: Isabelle Methven

ISABELLE METHVEN plays Anne in Theatr Clwyd and Chichester Festival Theatre’s world premiere production of brand-new musical The Famous Five, based on the much-loved books by Enid Blyton, written by Elinor Cook with music and lyrics by Theo Jamieson.

After a run at Theatr Clwyd the show has transferred to Chichester Festival Theatre, running until 12 November 2022.

Isabelle Methven’s theatre credits include: Annie/Swing/July in Annie the Musical (Piccadilly Theatre), Summer Hathaway in School of Rock (Gillian Lynne Theatre – original UK cast), Jane Banks in Mary Poppins (international tour), Brigitta in The Sound of Music (UK tour), Young Cosette in Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre) and La Traviata, Carmen and Die Meistersinger (Royal Opera House).

Screen credits include I’ll Find You (2019), Bardo Bebop (Post Production – 2020), Poirot (ITV), Michael McIntyre’s Big Show (BBC), Children in Need (BBC), My Life (BBC) and the Royal Variety Performances (ITV 2015, ITV 2018).

Here Isabelle continues Musical Theatre Review’s interview series: Five Questions With…

How did you first become involved in the Theatr Clwyd and Chichester Festival Theatre’s world premiere production of The Famous Five? It must be a thrill to be originating a role in this brand-new musical by Elinor Cook and Theo Jamieson with Tamara Harvey directing.

It is so incredible to be a part of this wonderful production. I became involved with the project after a successful series of auditions with Elinor, Theo and Tamara. The whole process was delightful and the rehearsals were so rewarding.

I definitely remember reading all of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books when I was at school but I am much older than you! Were you aware of them when you were younger?

I was aware of them! I have always been a lover of literature from a young age, and my mum sparked my interested by reading books like The Famous Five to me when I was a child. I feel the stories within the book series are timeless regarding the aspects of adventure and friendship.

While doing research on the character of Anne, one website described her as ‘the most feminine, enjoying things such as dolls and dresses, and is organised and tidy’! How are you approaching the character?

I feel although this is a typical image of Anne, I like to play her with more depth than stereotypical femininity. Anne is overlooked by her siblings and finds her voice through the show, often shown through Theo Jamieson’s beautiful music. Although the character’s demeanour and presentation through costume is stereotypically feminine, I like to think Anne learns from George about not living only within the constraints of her femininity.

Louis Suc, Isabelle Methven, Timmy puppet by Ailsa Dalling, Maria Goodman and Dewi Wykes in The Famous Five. Picture: The Other Richard

You obviously began performing in musicals when you were pretty young, can you tell our readers how and when you got into performing and ended up in such high-profile productions? 

Initially it was my brother who did the acting in the family, doing local theatre. I was around five when he was playing Oliver in an amateur production and I was asked to play a boy, sporting a delightful short blonde wig, as they had a shortage of boys interested in playing the workhouse children. From there I realised it was something I enjoyed, and I began singing lessons, where I used to sit on my teacher’s knee because I was so shy! I then went to an open audition for Les Misérables and began performing professionally at barely seven. From there it was just hard work and determination in auditions; I am grateful to have worked fairly consistently since.

Impossible question, but can you pick out a special highlight from your career so far?

This is always such a hard question. I’ve loved every production I’ve been in and the opportunities I’ve encountered through them. I would say it’s between getting to explore acting and find a real love and passion for that specific sector in the industry during The Sound of Music, or doing the 2015 Royal Variety performance at the Royal Albert Hall with Mary Poppins because the atmosphere was just sensational.