What's In My Dressing Room? Carmella Brown

Carmella Brown previously starred in Ray Rackham's Judy Garland play Through the Mill at Southwark Playhouse in 2015 and has stayed with the show – now called Judy! – for its transfer to the Arts Theatre. Brown plays Judith Kramer, a shy girl plucked from the typing pool to become Judy Garland’s assistant during the time she was filming her CBS television show.

Brown also plays the flute in the show as one of the company of actor musicians. She shares her dressing room with Young Judy (Lucy Penrose) and Palace Judy (Belinda Wollaston).

We asked Brown to take us round her dressing room at the Arts Theatre.

The Make Up Bag

CB: "This was given to me by my gran – I took it to every single dance show I did as a child and it’s still with me now I’m in the West End, so it’s very special to me."

The Research

CB: "This is one of the many Judy Garland biographies that the whole company have read as research for the show. It’s really important to understand the world you're portraying on stage."

The Firm Hold

CB: "It’s just a life-saver – I couldn’t work without some serious firm hold."

Sweet Things

CB: "For that all important sugar boost."

Banishing Sweaty Smells

CB: "Really helps to combat that delightful sweaty dressing room smell."

Presents from the Parents

CB: "Those are from my parents for the first preview. They live in Scotland so couldn’t make it  – but they will be there on the official opening night."

Judy! runs at the Arts Theatre until 17 June.