We do two performances of Aladdin almost every day, and the dancers are on stage for most of the show. We play several roles, including the minions of the villain, Abanazar, and also do a lot of fun things, like a penguin cancan across the stage. The show opens with Uptown Funk, and then it’s West End-style dancing – jazz and ballet technique, which is my kind of style. It’s not just simple box steps – Melanie Brown, the choreographer, has given us a lot of partner work, with lifting for the men, and some fantastic, challenging routines.
We rehearsed for six days a week for two weeks before we opened at the Southampton Mayflower, which is a huge, warm, old-fashioned theatre. We do rely on the audience – if they’re not very responsive, you have to work harder to keep yourself pumped up, but if they’re cheering, it gives you such an adrenaline rush. I love it, I have such a great time.
I get to the theatre 90 minutes before the first show. We have a big physical warm-up together to limber up, then start getting ready. Then we make our way to the wings and stretch. You can hear the audience settling in, especially if we’ve got a full house. I love that, it gets you pumped-up from the beginning.
Aladdin stars Joe Pasquale, one of the most professional people I’ve ever worked with. He’ll occasionally improvise something, and then it’s hard for us to keep a straight face. There’s a lot of audience participation, and a 3D scene – everyone puts on their 3D glasses, which they love. Our costumes are great, though many are so elaborate we can’t put them on by ourselves. The penguin costumes take a lot of beating. Our hands and feet go into the flippers, and there’s a huge round body suit. It looks great, but it’s boiling inside there.
We do two performances a day. It’s a shock to the system, but you also feel the benefit – I’ve become so much fitter. As long as you look after yourself, warming up and cooling down properly, it’s not too bad. Between shows, we get our food and unwind. We’re hungry, of course, but we all watch what we eat. Pasta and fruit, especially bananas, are always good – slow-releasing energy to keep you going through the evening.
When I got the contract, we were sent the “digs list” for Southampton. I’m staying with a lady who rents out a couple of spare rooms. It’s a bit strange at first, living with a complete stranger, but I’ve always stayed with such lovely people – often it’s older people who might welcome the company – though of course we spend most of the day in the theatre.
The shows finish quite late, and everyone’s still buzzing, so you can’t go straight home. Sometimes we’ll unwind in a bar, or go back to someone’s house for a movie night. You become such good friends with the cast and crew – they’re a lovely group of people, and it will be a shame when the contract ends. You may never come across each other again, so you have to make the most of it.
- Aladdin is at Mayflower theatre, Southampton, until 3 January. Box office: 02380 711811.
