How stagey are you? Jenna Russell vs Michael Xavier

Jenna Russell

Jenna is a national treasure, with credits ranging from Guys and Dolls to a range of Sondheim musicals that include Merrily We Roll Along and her Olivier Award-winning performance in Sunday in the Park with George.

This year she has starred in Urinetown at the St James Theatre and West End transfer, as well as the West End transfer of the Hampstead theatre production of Di and Viv and Rose.

Michael Xavier

Twice nominated for an Olivier Award (Into the Woods and Love Story), Michael is one of the most sought-after leading men in theatreland.

His recent theatre credits include the Menier Chocolate Factory production of Assassins, Richard Eyre's The Pajama Game and The Sound of Music at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

This weekend he will co-present the Olivier Awards Covent Garden Stage with Alison Hammond.

What was the last show you went to see?

Last week, I saw both The King's Speech my other half Ray Coulthard is playing the King, I was ridiculously proud of him, and A View From The Bridge – so good I'm going again this week…just brilliant! 1

Clarence Darrow with Kevin Spacey – tonight. 1

How many showtunes do you have on your iPod and what is your favourite?

Too many! Current favourite of the moment is Next To Normal cast album. 1

Thousands, but I don't really listen to showtunes (oh God I've lost by saying this haven't I?) as they are for reference or learning but if had to name my favourite I'd listen to it'd be "What Can You Say?" from Love Story. 0

What is the stagiest picture you have in your phone?

Beat this Xavier! [(L-R) Daniel Evans, Bernadette Peters and Stephen Sondheim]. 2 [Bonus point for Sondheim]

Selfie of myself and Myleene Klass on the stage at The Olivier Awards 2014 (note boy in crowd with sign saying 'Michael when is the honeymoon?'). 1.5 [Half a bonus for actually being on stage]

Who is the stagiest contact you have in your phone?

Ewan McGregor, yup! 1

Sir Trevor Nunn 1

What is your favourite Sondheim lyric?

"I remember trees, bare as coat racks, spread like broken umbrellas." From I Remember, possibly the most beautiful song ever. 1

"Life is often so unpleasant. You must know that, as a peasant. Best to take the moment present, as a present for the moment." – Into The Woods.
1

Who would play you in a musical about your life?

Me, but Meryl Streep could be my first cover if she was up for it. 0

Rupert Everett 1

Tell us a stagey joke

How many Actors does it take to change a lightbulb? Ten, one to change the bulb, and nine to say "I could do it better!" 0

How many actors does it take to change a lightbulb? Ten. 1 to change the lightbulb and 9 to stand and say: "I could've done it better." 0 [You guys need to learn more jokes]

How many of the Strallen sisters can you name?

All four, Scarlett, Summer, Zizi and Sasi, I've worked with three and slept with two. 1 [Oh My!]

All 4 of the beauties! Hell yeah! Summer, Scarlett, Zizi and Sasi 1

What is your favourite Shakespeare quote?

'I am a feather for each wind that blows' – Leontes, The Winter's Tale. 1

'The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.' – Touchstone, As You Like It. 1

What are your theatre superstitions?

Im not at all religious but seem to have slipped into crossing myself (both ways) before my first entrance into each act, and before any scene that find tricksy! 1

No whistling in the wings or saying "good luck" before a performance but I'm not really THAT superstitious! 0.5

And the winner is…

9/10

Jenna takes this battle and the top spot in the Stagey League Table, helped slightly by Mr Sondheim, although she could quite easily have scored more for her Strallen revelations too.

8/10

A respectable score of 8 for Mr Xavier puts him joint second in the Stagey League Table with last week's winner Gerard McCarthy. We expected more for question seven from the king of Twitter jokes.