Features

How stagey are you? Cassie Compton vs Marc Elliott

Our theatrical battles continue with this pair, currently appearing together in ”See What I Wanna See” at the Jermyn Street Theatre

Cassie Compton

Cassie first hit our screens in 2004 as a finalist on the first ever series of ITV’s The X Factor.

Her theatre credits include American Pyshco, Les Miserables and Wicked.

Marc Elliott

Marc is best known for his role as Syed Masood in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

His stage credits include Urinetown and The History Boys. He is currently starring opposite Cassie in See What I Wanna See at the Jermyn Street Theatre.

What was the last show you went to see?

I went to see Gypsy last night. It was wonderful! 1

A couple of weeks ago. I saw Bugsy Malone and wished I was 12 again so I could audition for it. 1

How many cast recordings do you own? Which is your favourite?

Ummm, I'm not sure, not as many as you'd think… I'd say around 6 0 [Lipkin has set the bar high for this. Less than 10 = not stagey]

Definitely more than 10. I love Matilda. 1

What is the stagiest picture on your phone?

Haha! I've just looked. I would have to say a photo from American Psycho press night. 1

Just me and some random ginge off the street. 1

How many times have you seen ”Wicked”?

Oh gosh… I've watched it as an audience member twice. Having been in the show for a year I guess I've technically seen it around 350 times! 2 [Bonus point for actually being in it]

Once. 0

Who would you invite to a dinner party (dead or alive)?

Marlon Brando, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Dusty Springfield and Stephen King! 1

The entire cast of Urinetown. 1

Who is the most famous person in your phone contacts?

Oh, I'm not sure… I wouldn't want to say who is more famous than who!
0 [stagey people always brag, darling]

It’s a toss up. Samantha Barks or Matt Smith (do I get an extra point for Jenna Russell?) 1 [Yes, if you’d said Jenna first]

Have you ever had your photo taken by Darren Bell?

Hahahahaha! Yes!1

Yes. 1

What is the stagiest thing that’s ever happened to you?

Um, I fractured my elbow onstage whilst playing Nessarose in Wicked – Stagey accident!?

1 [Did someone say Wicked?]

Getting asked to do this quiz.0

What is your earliest theatrical memory?

My parents took me to see The King and I in the West End, when I was about 4 or 5 years old. I insisted on taking a little bag with me, I lost it and had to stay behind with the front of house staff to try and find it… It had gone! 1

Watching my older sister play Tiger Lily in a local production of Peter Pan. I think she had to sing "Happy Talking", as you do if you’re on the run from pirates. 1

What do you like to do after a show?

Eat! After the show I go home and there is a Nandos between the station and my house. So I'm naughty and I get a chicken wrap with cheese to take away… Only lemon and herb though, as I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy food! 0

Pints. The location for pints is a movable feast really, dependent on where I'm working. 0

And the winner is…

8/10

Cassie just misses joining Jon Robyns in second place. If only she'd dished the dirt on her famous contacts. We wish Nando's was stagey, maybe they should offer some showtunes with their Peri Peri sauce?

7/10

Marc loses this battle, but what can you expect from someone who has only seen Wicked once? We do like the sound of a Urinetown dinner party though…


Next week: Carrie Hope Fletcher vs Eva Noblezada

Stagey League Table

1. Simon Lipkin

10 points


2. Jon Robyns

9 points


3. Cassie Compton

8 points


4. Marc Elliott

7 points