The new live cast recording of the West End production of Les Miserables – The Staged Concert will be on many a musical theatre fan’s Christmas wish list this year, so we thought a chat with the show’s Eponine, otherwise known as SHAN AKO, was in order.
Recorded live at the Gielgud Theatre, ‘Les Misérables – The Staged Concert The Sensational 2020 Live Recording’ also features Michael Ball as Javert, Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine, Matt Lucas as Thénardier, Rob Houchen as Marius, Bradley Jaden as Enjoiras, Katy Secombe as Madame Thénardier and Lily Kerhoas as Cosette. Les Misérables – The Staged Concert is due to return for a limited run at the Sondheim Theatre from 5 December 2020 to 31 January 2021.
Also a singer-songwriter and musician, Shan began releasing self-produced music as a teenager. She went on to gain performance experiences including the pre-mobo awards at Cadogan Hall, the Barbican for the London Jazz Festival and winning the Project Aloft Star for emerging artists run by Starwood Hotel Group and BBC Radio 1.
After graduating from the Brit School, Shan toured across the UK and Europe playing the lead role in Whitney Queen of the Night. In 2018 she was seen on the live finals of X Factor and the subsequent 2019 X Factor National Arena Tour. She made her West End debut playing Eponine in the concert version of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre and continued in the role when the show transferred to the newly restored Sondheim Theatre in December 2019.
Picture: Michael Le Poer Trench
Here Shan continues Musical Theatre Review’s interview series: Five Questions With…
We all need to something to look forward to at the moment so the new live recording (and DVD) of Les Misérables is very welcome. Can you tell us more about what the experience was like when the recordings took place?
I remember the cast recording and filming days like they were yesterday! So many mixed emotions such as, my adrenaline running high, nerves, excitement, staying focused. For the DVD, I had to try not being too overwhelmed knowing it was a live broadcast and our last show – so all mixed into one.
It must be pretty difficult to choose but do you have any favourite tracks that you perform or other members of the cast sing?
I love performing ‘On My Own’, it’s such a special moment, where Eponine gets to express her true feelings. I also love Valjean’s Soliloquy which is sung so powerfully by Alfie Boe and John Owen-Jones for the Staged Concert.
What do you think it is about Les Mis that audiences of all ages continue to love? What does the character of Éponine mean to you and what was it like playing the role in two different West End versions of the show in recent times?
The Les Mis audiences can connect to the story of love, family, faith, loss and laughter. All subjects which Les Mis explores and we as humans, experience. Eponine to me represents strength but vulnerability in love, which I think the modern girl today also experiences.
I loved playing Eponine in both versions, it was a blessing. I was able to my develop my character and express her journey on another level each time.
The hope is that the full production of Les Mis will return to the West End next year. In the meantime, you must have enjoyed returning to the character for Britain’s Got Talent (did it bring back any memories of X Factor?).
It was quite surreal being back at the LH2 studios. I felt a sense of achievement being a part of the guest performance company and not competing. It reminded me of how blessed my journey has been so far. It also felt like a full circle and so special as we celebrated the West End.
How has life treated you and your family during lockdown? Have you had the chance to write any music, do any livestream projects?
Lockdown definitely came as a surprise to me and my family, but it allowed us to slow down, work on ourselves, house renovate and explore other passions.
I was able to record and release my four-track EP entitled ‘Brave Heart’. It also encouraged me to share more of my journey online (including my Les Mis Journey Vlogs) and Instagram Live Streams with international artists such as H.E.R.
- The new live cast recording of the West End production of Les Miserables – The Staged Concert is released on 20 November 2020 and is available for pre order HERE.
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