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My Top 5 Showtunes: Ellie Bamber

Currently starring in ”High Society” at the Old Vic, we find out the showtunes she couldn’t live without

Ellie as Dinah in High Society
Ellie as Dinah in High Society
© Johan Persson

Ellie Bamber is currently playing Dinah Lord in High Society at the Old Vic.

Her previous credits include Aspects of Love (Menier), The Musketeers (BBC) and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Darko).

We caught up with Ellie and asked her: "If you were stranded on a desert island, which five showtunes could you not live without?"


"Anything But Lonely" from Aspects of Love

EB: The only version I've really heard was Katherine Kingsley's brilliant rendition when I was in Aspects at the Menier Chocolate Factory. I can't imagine it being performed in any other way. I remember she gave me goose bumps every time.

"Just One Of Those Things" from High Society

EB: I remember watching Rupert [Young] perform his version of the song in rehearsals for the first time recently, the song sounded familiar but I actually hadn't ever listened to it properly. I remember falling in love with it there and then! I ended up playing Sinatra's version on repeat for the next week. My brother told me to turn it off, as he said he'd probably heard it around 60 times – so I played Jamie Cullum's instead!

"Seasons Of Love" from Rent

Just a knock out sing a long show tune really! Never fails to brighten up my day.

"How Could I Ever Know" from The Secret Garden

I've never actually seen a production of The Secret Garden but I'd really love to! I remember having to pick out a song for one of my musical theatre exams a few years ago and I asked my teacher if he had any suggestions. I'm usually pretty instinctive when it comes to picking out a song, I know what I like. He played me a few that I'd never heard before and this one really stuck out. The lyrics are heartbreakingly beautiful and paired with the melancholy melody, every time I sing it, it never fails to make me emotional.

"The Deadwood Stage" from Calamity Jane

I remember my Nan and Grandad sitting me down to watch this with them when I was younger, I watched it countless times afterwards. I told them that one day I would be Calamity Jane, I loved singing and I loved horse riding so why wouldn't I be?! I absolutely love Doris Day in the role, her voice is just sensational and she really makes the ballsy Calamity come to life!


High Society runs at the Old Vic until 22 August 2015. Click here for more info and to buy tickets.