How stagey are you? Carrie Hope Fletcher vs Eva Noblezada

Carrie Hope Fletcher

Carrie is currently playing Eponine in Les Miserables.

Her previous theatre credits include Mary Poppins (original cast, Prince Edward), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (original cast, London Palladium) and The Wind in the Willows (Open Air, Regent’s Park).

Carrie is also known for her series of videos on her YouTube channel itswaypastmybedtime which has gained her a dedicated following of over 500,000 subscribers.

Eva Noblezada

Eva is currently making her professional and West End debut playing Kim in Miss Saigon.

She won the 2015 Whatsonstage Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

What was the last show you went to see?

I went to see Urinetown last October! When you’re in a show, you don’t see the inside of many theatres other than your own! 🙁 0 [Almost a year since going to the theatre? That makes us sad.]

My handsome boyfriend and I went to see Beautiful several weeks ago. Katie [Brayben], Lorna [Want] and the whole cast are exceptional. I highly recommend it. 1

How many cast recordings do you own? Which is your favourite?

Oh, I own many! When I was a kid, long car journeys meant I got to reenact full shows in the backseat. My mum loved it but all the belting probably left my dad, in the driver’s seat, on edge! 1

If you’ve got a couple of spare days while I count them all. My favourite has to be the soundtrack recording of West Side Story on vinyl, love it. 2 [Bonus point for having ”WSS” on vinyl. Epic staginess]

What is the stagiest picture on your phone?

It’s probably this one that’s even on my instagram! It’s from my first year at Les Mis. Rob Houchen (Marius) and I were hanging out in between shows and managed to end up doing the "Little Fall of Rain" blocking without even meaning to! 1

A casual picture. Dame Shirley is a gem. 1

How many times have you seen ”Wicked”?

Five times! I LOVE that show! 1

Once, but that defines my level of staginess. As I do know every song and lyric so that must count for something. Didn’t we all sing an Elphaba song in college? 0

Who would you invite to a dinner party (dead or alive)?

Gerard Way (lead singer of My Chemical Romance) Walt Disney and Johnny Depp! 0

Marilyn Monroe on my left, maybe Liza Minnelli on my right, with Barbra Streisand at the head of the table. 1

Who is the most famous person in your phone contacts?

The cast of The War of the Worlds was pretty star studded and they still text to catch up quite often!

1

Lea Salonga. We love to fill each other in on our days sometimes. 1

Have you ever had your photo taken by Darren Bell?

The desire to be on a West End stage comes hand in hand with the desire to be snapped by Mr Bell. I am lucky enough to have stood in front of his lens…and I’m also having coffee with him tomorrow! Lovely guy!1

Yes, when I won my WOS Award for Best Actress earlier this year. 1 [Yeah ya did!]

What is the stagiest thing that’s ever happened to you?

If there’s a chance to answer someone back in song, I will.

1

I visited New York a lot as a kid. I once went with my best friend and her mum and my Auntie who was a cover in Cats, Hair, you name it. After watching The Lion King for the second time my friend and I got a backstage tour. I stood on stage, reveling in the moment when a member of the cast crossed stage, looked at me and said, Honey, work for it and you’ll be here. So true.1

What is your earliest theatrical memory?

In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever been that stagey but my auntie used to practically force me to sing "On My Own" for her every time she came to visit! Looking back now, it was probably good practice!

1

Sitting in the middle of the stalls for The Lion King on Broadway, experiencing my first Broadway show. When the animals began making their way to the stage, I began crying because I knew this is what I wanted to do. 1

What do you like to do after a show?

The cast make fun of me for NEVER going out! I’m a sucker for going home, snuggling up in bed with a cup of tea and watching what I call 'so-bad-they’re-good' movies on Netflix! 0

I take a shower and then put on my silk Kimono and then relax. 0

And the winner is…

7/10

Not bad from Miss Fletcher as she joins Marc Elliot in joint 5th place. We think she's probably stagier than she's letting on but not going to the theatre in a year means she loses this battle to Eva.

9/10

Another Award-winning performance from Eva, who joins Jon Robyns in joint second place. Her ideal dinner party is divalicious and we've just set up an eBay alert for cast recordings on vinyl.