Features

My Top 5 Showtunes: Kerry Ellis

We find out the five showtunes Kerry Ellis would take with her to a desert island

Rosie Bannister

London London's West End

07 February 2015

Kerry Ellis is known for varied musical theatre roles from Elphaba in Wicked to Meat in We Will Rock You to Nancy in Oliver!, as well as being a touring artist.

She is taking over from Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella in Cats from Monday 9 February. We caught up with her to ask her: "If you were stranded on a desert island, which five showtunes could you not live without?"

1. "Who Wants To Live Forever" – We Will Rock You

KE: I love this song, it has great power and strength and means many things to me. WWRY was a really special time in my life, a creation of a role and an introduction to a collaboration partner that has grown and developed me as an artist.

2. "Mamma Mia!" – Mamma Mia!

KE: This is a song that always gets people to their feet to join in; it's a great feel good song that is so uplifting.

3. "Anthem" – Chess

KE: I have done my own version of this on my first album, I'm really proud of it. The song is strong, proud and memorable and always gives me a sense of passion and hope.

4. "I'm Not That Girl" – Wicked

KE: Another song I have recorded on one of my albums, this song has a ton of meaning for me as it’s from a show that took me to Broadway, a dream come true. This song will always be close to my heart. I think it's a beautiful and at first simple song but when you explore it more deeply you find so much more, a deep rooted message with a complex rhythm and melody.