She has been in great musicals like Beauty and Beast, Notre Dame, The
Rocky Horror Show, and of course, The Phantom the Opera in Madrid
(Spain, Lope de Vega Theatre), where she was an excellent Christine.
She was chosen to double Christine's voice in the Phantom of the Opera
movie in Spain.
At present, she is playing Cosette role in Les Miserables, London.
Julia is a gorgeous actress and a wonderful friend. Thanks a lot for this
lovely interview, Julia!
Please, don't take this text without my permission. This interview is exclusive for this site.
Sandra - How did you prepared for Christine role?
Julia - I read Gaston Leroux's novel and discovered in the same bookshop
another book called “The Phantom” from Susan Kay. I loved reading both of
them and they helped me to understand what was going on in Christine´s
mind. Beside that, I always try to write a Biography as true as possible of
every character I am going to play or imagine her doing different things
during her life. And vocally, well I am always doing new things with my
teacher,so this time I focused on Christine´s songs.
Sandra - Is it difficult to play the same role that many times?
Julia - It sounds like the typical thing to say but it is true: if you keep it
fresh and new, every day will be different.
Sandra - What do you think about Christine and her relationship with the
Phantom and Raoul?
Julia - Christine is awakening as a woman and struggles between two
different desires. Raoul is her first love and gives her friendship,romance,
protection. The Phantom is a very confusing figure: He is her mentor, her
teacher,person of respect and fear and somewhere in her mind,he is the
Angel of music her father has send to her. But he is as well the hidden
desire, the one she can´t explain nor control.
No wonder she gets a little bit crazy at the end of the show!!...haha, just
kidding!
Sandra - Do you have any curious anecdote which happened in the Madrid
Phantom production (rehearsals or show itself)?
Julia - One night the boat didn't work and we had to walk the whole Duet
through, that means we were walking on water!!
Sandra - In the Phantom musical, what do you think it’s the most important
scene and which one represents a bigger vocal difficulty?
Julia - In my opinion the most important scene is the kiss between Christine
and the Phantom. It´s the first act of love The Phantom receives in his life
and it makes him realise that he has to let her go. He experiences real love
for the first time.
The vocal difficulty with a part as Christine lies more on what she is doing
while she is singing!! There are two dress changes live on stage, and you´re
always running around like crazy, being scared and out of breath while
you´re trying not to step on your long dress!!It can be quite funny!!
Sandra - How did you feel when you were chosen to double Christine’s
voice into Spanish in the movie by Joel Schumacher?
Julia - Well, what can I say!!!I was very excited and delighted that they had
chosen me!
Sandra - We know you’re at present playing Cosette role in Les Miserables
of London, what are being your experiences in this musical?
Sandra - Les Miserables has always been one of my favourite musicals.I
love the story and the music and have always wanted to be a part of it. So
here I am, enjoying every day and very excited about our 20th anniversary,
this coming Saturday!!
Sandra - How was your experience singing with Michael Ball in a special
performance of Les Miserables in the presence of the Queen and Chirac at
Windsor Castle?
Julia - Oh my God! That was a day to remember!!I was still busy trying to
realise that in fact, I was playing in the West End!And two months later I
am standing next to Michael Ball singing for the Queen!Almost too good to
be true...but it was!!Everyone was fantastic and we had a very special
experience together.
Sandra - What other musicals have you played?
Julia - My stage debut was actually in Barcelona when I was 16.I started
dancing in “The Rocky Horror Show”, directed by Ricard Reguant.
But after that I returned to Germany to study Musical Theater and my first
part was the cover of Esmeralda in Disney´s “The Hunchback of Notre
Dame” in Berlin.I loved playing that part and, as it was my first, it was very
special.
After that I played Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” and then came Christine
and Cosette.
Sandra - In the musical world what’s the character you would like to play?
Julia - Mmmm...that´s difficult to say. I know I want to play characters that
are different from each other.
There´s this new musical that everyone is talking about: Wicked. It´s funny
and the music is great.
And as a classic: I love “Yentl”.I wish someday they would actually bring
out the musical.
Please, don't copy this text without my permission.
Copyright by Ladyghost.
