My Top 5 Showtunes: Debbie Kurup

Debbie Kurup's West End credits include Rent, Chicago, The Bodyguard, Sister Act and West Side Story. She was also seen leading the recent UK tour of Anything Goes.

She can currently be found treading the boards at the Noël Coward Theatre in the Bob Dylan musical Girl From the North Country, which runs until 31 March.

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

1. "Trial Before Pilate/39 Lashes" from Jesus Christ Superstar

OK, so this is about ten minutes long but as I’m sure you all know it quickly builds to that deafening crescendo with the chorus screaming "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" And by the time we are into the 39 ascending lashes, I’m finished! That dirty guitar riff! Aaaaggghh! Can’t get enough of it. Tears stream down my face, my heart is pounding and I’m reminded why I love musical theatre. Pure brilliance!

2. "A Boy Like That" from West Side Story

This song is mind-blowing. Leonard Bernstein. Jeez. What a magnificent composer. I love the way the song constantly changes time signature which of course all adds to the drama. It’s breathtaking, scary and slightly exhausting!

3. "The Movie in my Mind" from Miss Saigon

As a teenager, I had the double cassette tape original cast recording of Miss Saigon. I played it so much I wore it out. I re-bought it on CD. I was obsessed. This is a stunning, haunting song that gives me shivers every time I hear it.

4. "City of Angels Theme" from City of Angels

I’ve never been lucky enough to see a production of this but have always loved listening to the cast recordings. I love all the jazzy, crunchy chords and the delicious harmonies. Very clever. Very cool.

5. "Another Day" from Rent

In this song, the character Mimi sings the most simple but deeply moving lyrics which eventually become the show’s anthem. It’s a thing of beauty.

"There is no future

There is no past

I live this moment as my last

There’s only us

There’s only this

Forget regret

Or life is yours to miss

No other road, no other way

No day but today"

…..Amen to that, sister.

Bonus Entry: "Yorktown" from Hamilton

I saw the show in New York in 2016 with many of the original Broadway cast members and I paid a fortune for my ticket. This is my favourite moment in the show, I love the military drum that pushes the song forward and that intense cello sound under the Hercules Mulligan rap and throughout.