20 Questions with… Louise Dearman

1. Where and when were you born?
I was born in Bletchley on 13th March 1979.

2. What made you want to become an actor?
I've danced since I was 3, sung professionally since I was 12 and started acting around the same time as singing so it has been part of my life forever. There was nothing else I ever wanted to do.

3. If you hadn’t become an actor, what might you have done professionally?
I'm sure I'd have still have worked within the entertainment industry in some form… maybe the make-up department?!

4. First big break?
When I was 12 I was in a school choir. We all took a trip to London to audition to be in the choir in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and we got through! It was such a wonderful experience and gave me the showbiz bug.

5. Career highlights to date?
Performing at The Royal Albert Hall as part of Michael Ball's UK Tour and playing both Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked.

6. Any regrets?
Wasting time feeling disappointed at not getting jobs and doubting myself.

7. What was the first thing you saw on stage that had a big impact on you?
Cats – I was mesmerised! In fact I was desperate to be in Cats for years after that.

8. And the last?
The Pride at Trafalgar Studios directed by Jamie Lloyd. I want to explore acting further and so when I get free evenings I love to go to the theatre to watch plays. It was so thrilling and all I could think was 'I'd love to be a part of something like this'.

9. Who are your acting/singing idols?
Singing idols… I have loads! Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston. My acting idols include Kate Winslet, Rachel McAdams and Julia Roberts.

10. What's the best advice you've ever been given?
Be proud to be you!

11. Why did you want to get involved in An Evening of Movies & Musicals?
The opportunity to sing some beautiful, iconic songs with an orchestra was too good to miss. Producer Matt Hampson is producing my first UK tour and so we'd been in talks for a while about working together, this is our first venture together and what a superb start!

12. Will it be strange returning to the Apollo Victoria?
It will be wonderful returning to the Apollo Victoria, I feel very comfortable performing there, it's been my theatrical home for three years in total.

13. Favourite song in the show?
That's tough, I'm singing a few favourites but I guess if I had to choose one it would be "Home" from The Wiz.

14. Any rehearsal room mishaps?
We had our first rehearsal last Sunday, I'm very excited for the show.

15. You’re about to release a new album. How did you choose which songs to include?
It was a combination of seeing what Silva Screen, the record label who produced my album, had in their enormous catalogue of theatre orchestrations and the musical theatre songs I have loved over the years. It took a while to come up with the final list but I'm delighted with it and can't wait for people to hear it.

16. What's your favourite post-show hang out?
I literally haven't been out after a show in the past year, it takes a lot of discipline being in a show like Wicked so my social life has kind of been on hold but the atmosphere and food at Joe Allen's is wonderful; it's a real showbiz haunt!

17. How do you unwind?
Very easily after a show… a cuppa tea and a book in bed just about does it! Not very rock and roll I know!

18. If you could swap places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
No-one. I'm a happy and very lucky woman.

19. What are you looking forward to about starring in Water Babies in Leicester next year?
I'm looking forward to creating the role of Mrs D! This is a brand new production which in itself is incredibly exciting but I've never in my career had the opportunity to create a role. I've heard some of the music which is a gorgeous mix of contemporary pop and theatre so I can't wait to belt them out. The buzz surrounding this show is very exciting and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

20. What's next?
My album It's Time is being released on 2 December, followed by some very exciting concerts throughout December followed by my first UK Tour next year starting in February. I'm also releasing a book next spring so lots of very exciting projects coming up.

Louise Dearman will be starring in An Evening of Movies & Musicals this Sunday 1 December at the Apollo Victoria Theatre