Five Questions With: Ria Jones

Award-winning actress and singer RIA JONES is reprising the role of Mrs Overall in a special charity concert revival of Acorn Antiques The Musical, Victoria Wood’s cult-classic satire of British soap operas, which plays Manchester Opera House (2 and 16 November) and London’s Shaftesbury Theatre (9 November).

The one-night-only format features a stellar West End cast including Jones, Gina Beck, Katherine Kingsley and Rob Madge. With over-the-top plotlines, nostalgic references and a lovingly chaotic homage to shaky-set soaps, the musical is a celebration of British comedy – and of Wood’s legacy – with all proceeds going to support Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester’s outreach work and youth theatre programme.

Jones’ celebrated career spans over four decades across the West End, UK and international stages. At just 19, she became the youngest actress ever to play Eva Perón in Evita, launching a distinguished career in musical theatre. Her extensive credits include leading roles in Cats (Grizabella), Les Misérables (Fantine), Chess (Florence/Svetlana), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), Gypsy (Rose), High Society, Nine, Victor/Victoria, The Witches of Eastwick, Into the Woods, A Little Night Music, Romance Romance and Jerry’s Girls.

Jones made musical theatre history when she originated the role of Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at the Sydmonton Festival. She later understudied Glenn Close at the London Coliseum and went on to star as Norma herself in the acclaimed UK/European tour and Curve Leicester’s filmed and streamed revival.

Beyond the stage, Jones has headlined in concert worldwide – from the Royal Albert Hall to South Africa, Singapore, Shanghai, Muscat and Europe – and appeared on numerous BBC broadcasts, including her own television special One Night Only With Ria Jones. She has also released several albums.

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

Ria Jones and Danny Mac in Sunset Boulevard in Concert at Home, streaming from Curve Leicester. Picture: Marc Brenner

You first played Mrs Overall in Acorn Antiques: The Musical 20 years ago. What does it feel like to return to such an iconic role for this concert version – and of course play above your age again!

It feels wonderful to return to such an iconic role. A real honour. I was much younger the last time, 39, turning 40 during the run. Eighteen years on, I’m definitely now closer to her age!

Mrs Overall is a beloved character, hilarious but deeply human too. How do you strike that balance between comedy and heart when bringing her to life on stage?

For me, comedy runs deep in human nature. I feel Mrs O is a character the audience can really warm to and take to their hearts. She’s funny, witty, cheeky and also so vulnerable in certain moments in the show that catch you unawares. That’s Victoria’s brilliant writing. Just when you’re about to reach for the tissues – bang – she throws in another brilliant comedy moment.

It must be very special, and poignant, to revisit Victoria Wood’s writing with a whole gang of new performers, what has the process been like? How do think audiences in Manchester and London will respond to the show?

There is so much love for Victoria in the rehearsal room. Every single person on and off stage is there because of their admiration of her and her work. Her writing just stands the test of time. Even though I know the lines, I still laugh out loud when I hear them. The audiences are in for such a treat! I think they are so ready to hear these songs and the script. It’s been such a long time since it was last performed, and I think people, especially with the state of the world right now, are ready for a really good laugh.

You’ve had an extraordinary career in musical theatre, including being the youngest actress to play Eva Peron in Evita and originating the role of Norma Desmond at the Sydmonton Festival before playing the part again 26 years later. Have you seen the recent ‘reinventions’ of those productions from Jamie Lloyd? If so, what did you think?

I did recently see Evita and really loved it. To hear those orchestrations and the score sung so brilliantly was a real joy.

Your list of credits is so extensive, perhaps it is a silly question, but is there one experience that sticks for you and had a huge impact on your personal and/or professional life?

Yes. Auditioning, meeting and working very closely with one of my idols – Victoria Wood. Who, to my utter joy, became a dear friend… How lucky am I?!