My Top 5 Showtunes: Devon Elise Johnson

Devon-Elise Johnson was recently nominated Best Actress in a Musical in this year's WhatsOnStage Awards for her performance in Half a Sixpence at the Noel Coward Theatre.

Her previous theatre credits include Mamma Mia!, Saturday Night Fever and Taboo.

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

1. "Secret Love" from Calamity Jane

It is one of the first musical films I ever watched. It's such a beautiful song and I could listen to Doris Day's voice all day long!

2. "We Both Reached For The Gun" from Chicago

I have this CD on all the time, but it's this song I love. When I was younger, I used to have it on repeat in the car, my mum would sing along with me – I was so determined to get all the words right!

3. "Quiet" by Jonathan Reid-Gealt

This is sung by the incredible Natalie Weiss. It spoke volumes to me when I first heard it, I'm pretty sure I cried! I find myself singing if often, as it's a good old passionate belter of a song and so beautifully written. It so deserves to be in a musical somewhere.

4. "Bring Him Home" from Les Mis

This has to be among by top favourites. There is nothing like hearing this sung by a strong male voice – the last note gets me every time, reducing me to tears.

5. "Pretty Lies" from Taboo

Boy George's musical has an incredible score. One of the best musicals I've ever been in, and this song was a challenge every night whilst taking my make-up off onstage during the number. The part of a goth was so removed from me as a person it was amazing to do this every night.

Half a Sixpence is currently booking at the Noel Coward Theatre until 6 May 2017.