Interviews

Pixie Lott: My Holly is different to Hepburn's

Ahead of the opening night of her West End debut in ”Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, the singer talks working with animals and switching between music and theatre

How does it feel to be making your West End debut in Breakfast At Tiffany's ?
Amazing, the tour was great fun but it is just great being in the West End. I can be at home and the theatre is beautiful, it feels really really special.

The tour has been epic, how are you feeling?
It’s definitely very full on, it made me appreciate how hard theatre actors really work, especially on a two show day. Holly Golightly is a character that goes through so much so it does take a lot out of you. But I am really enjoying it.

Had you always wanted to be an actress?
Yeah, it’s always something that I’ve enjoyed and wanted to get into. Singing and music is my number one and my ultimate passion but I love acting and I love dance. I did it at school and I’ve always wanted to do a play and really learn about it. I’d like to do more.

How did you prepare for the role?
I just had to learn the words really, it is such a wordy piece. I have loads of lines, so I had to properly get them into my head.

Were you a fan of the original book?
I didn’t know about the book before I knew about the role. I only knew of the movie, and I knew the play was based on the book not the film so I had to read it. The book is darker and edgier. I think it’s great that we’re staying true to how Truman Capote originally wrote it. When they made the movie they made it more commercialised, made it more of a romantic comedy, whereas it’s not actually written like that.

Was Audrey Hepburn a big influence?
I love Audrey Hepburn and that iconic picture of her. But I didn't want to watch the film version again and copy anything Audrey had done because then I would just be a not-as-good version of her. I just read the book and have done my own version. Our Hollys are completely different, apparently.

How would you describe your Holly?
She has very different sides to her. I just try to bring as much of my personality to her as possible so it feels as real as possible. She’s fun to play because she’s a party girl and she also has some more vulnerable and intimate moments.

What has it been like working with Nikolai Foster as your first director?
I think I’ve been really lucky because he is incredible at what he does. He gets the best out of everyone and he’s also taught me loads and is really inspiring to work with. It’s such a mammoth role to take on and it is nerve wracking, so he really made me feel comfortable. He gives everything to his work and I really respect him.

Is it right that you’re producing an album at the same time?
Yes, I did loads of writing last year and I took six weeks off the tour to do some more music. The album will be out next year. I have some fun online music stuff that I’m going to put out for the summer.

Was it hard to switch between the music studio and the stage?
Not really, the music stuff I’ve done behind the scenes since I was 12 and when my single came out it was seven years ago so I’ve been doing it non stop since then. So it just feels normal. It was more of a shift getting into the world of the play.

Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott
© Simon Emmett

Are you having to have very early nights and use honey and lemon?
Yes, definitely trying to but it’s hard in London because there’s so much going on. The play takes so much out of you, you just have to say no to things. You only get Sundays off and that’s when you need to recuperate, but there tends to be something going on on a Sunday at the moment so I’m hoping this Sunday I can chill.

So you didn’t make a sneaky trip to Latitude last weekend?
No! I didn’t.

You're working with a real life cat – how has that been?
Bob is amazing, he’s so placid, most of the time he sits there and chills and the audience are like – Oh my god is that actually a real cat? But there have been some shows, especially early on, where he goes crazy and goes into the audience and causes mischief, but when we’ve been in town he’s been really good.

Breakfast at Tiffany's is in previews at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, opening on 28 July and runs until 17 September.