The fabulous Strictly judge chats about playing women on stage, his love of musicals and learning from regrets
WORDS: ALISON JAMES
● I am super excited about taking on the iconic role of The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard Of Oz.
She’s mean, green and wants those shoes! Aquaphobic and fab-u-lous...here I come! It’s part of the magic of our industry that the theatre is no stranger to role reversal.
● Productions around the world are casting females in historically male roles and vice versa. Shakespeare did it in his plays, and then there’s pantomime. Drag does seem to be having a moment – it certainly wasn’t this mainstream in my day.
● There’s a long history in the UK of comedy drag acts with almost clown-style make-up, but I always tried to fool everyone I was a woman. I was 6ft 5in in heels, but one has fantasies when one is young.
● I’m best known as a judge on Strictly but I grew up on musicals. When I saw Cats in London I knew that was absolutely what I wanted to do. I did West Side Story in Australia, then went into Me And My Girl and La Cage Aux Folles. I joined the famous Lido de Paris and the Moulin Rouge, and that led into being part of West End shows.
● I then left to become a director and choreographer and, subsequently, a judge on Strictly. My first hoorah back on to the boards was when I was asked to do panto over 10 years ago. That reignited my passion for performing again.
The Wizard Of Oz runs May 7-July 28. Go to
uktour.wizardofozmusical. com/tickets
Honestly…
I’m not saying the persona on Strictly isn’t me – it’s just that my nurturing side isn’t what I’m there for. I’m there to judge and to give an
