YouTube sensation LUCY THOMAS’ musical theatre career is to be launched next autumn in the title role of Rosie, the first musical by award-winning composer Chris Broom.
The 19-year-old from Wigan whose cover of ‘Hallelujah’ alone has received 35 million hits on her YouTube channel is also releasing her fifth album for Broom’s Cavendish Records in November, her first since she completed her A-Levels and left school. Altogether her 54 YouTube videos of pop covers and Broom originals have had 155 million hits and her site has 750,000 subscribers.
Rosie tells the true story of Rosie Boot, a convent-educated Irish girl who joins the chorus line at London’s Gaiety Theatre in the Strand at the turn of the last century, wins the heart of the eligible Marquis of Headfort and quits the theatre to marry him much against the wishes of high society. Even Prince Edward warns the Marquis his career will be ruined if he marries a Gaiety Girl but love conquers all and eventually they are welcomed back into society where her charm and elegance win everyone over.
A studio cast album of the show is being assembled now for February release to coincide with some personal concert appearances. The 2022 Sondheim Student Performer of the Year winner Desmonda Cathabel, fresh from rave reviews in Miss Saigon, has recorded ‘I Still Believe in Love’, which will be released as a single and Lucy will be duetting with Will Callan, who is about to make his West End debut as Marius in Les Misérables, on two other numbers.
Meanwhile, she is going to be working with an acting coach for her role as Rosie, the venue for which has yet to be announced.
Here Lucy responds to five questions put to her by Musical Theatre Review contributor Jeremy Chapman…
We know what a fabulous singing voice you have but what acting experience have you had?
Apart from lead roles in school productions of The Wizard of Oz and Annie, I haven’t had any acting experience. The plan is for me to work extensively with an acting coach to develop that side of my performances. Taking on the title role in Rosie will a huge challenge for me and will be one of my main focuses in the coming months.
What path do you see your career taking – an international pop star like Celine Dion or Adele or a musical theatre leading lady once you have done Rosie? I suppose much will depends on how your debut effort is received.
I’ve always been keen to keep as many options open as possible and I would certainly love to be able to continue as a recording artist as well as pursuing a career in musical theatre. As you say, that’s likely to be influenced by how my debut in Rosie is received.
How old were you when you decided to sing professionally and what were your favourite early songs? And what does it feel like to have made four successful CDs and had all these zillion of YouTube hits while still a schoolgirl?
I have always loved to sing and enjoy a wide range of music. My favourite musical theatre song would be ‘She Used to Be Mine’ from Waitress. I also love the pop classics of Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Adele. ‘Hallelujah’ is also a very special song for me, especially because of the lovely response to my recording of it. I started having regular singing lessons when I was seven and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to record four studio albums while still at school. It’s been an absolute thrill to have so many wonderfully supportive followers on YouTube and social media. My family have been incredibly supportive and have always encouraged me to pursue my singing without any pressure. I couldn’t have done it without them!
You look so lovingly at your kid sister Martha (she’s 13) when you perform together on those videos. Did your early YouTube success play a part in her deciding to sing? Or is it her ambition to do something else entirely?
The duets with Martha came about by chance really. We were singing a song called ‘Say Something’ at home and my mum filmed it on her phone. It all began from that! Martha really enjoys singing but it’s fair to say her main passion is equestrianism, specifically her horse Cloud. We still find time to record together and it’s lovely that our duets are among the most-viewed videos on my YouTube channel.
Give us an idea of what material is on your upcoming fifth CD? I understand you are doing one or two from Rosie but are there any other songs from stage musicals on it?
There will be quite a wide range, with several songs from film musicals including two Streisand classics ‘The Way We Were’ and ‘Evergreen’. As far as stage musicals are concerned, we are currently keeping the focus on Rosie. There will be a studio cast album released next February which I’m really excited about and I’m also looking forward to recording songs from other stage musicals in the future.
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