(number one tour).
She was then delighted to make her West End debut in the same role at the
Aldwych Theatre. Following this, she understudied and played The Mistress in
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End revival of Evita (Adelphi), directed by
Michael Grandage. Whilst at college, Leila played Diana Morales in A Chorus
Line and Peep-Bo in Hot Mikado and also appeared as Eponine in a charity gala
performance of Les Misérables for the MCC, Malta.
Thank you, Leila, for this great interview.
Sandra - What has meant for your artistic career being part of the Phantomof
the Opera in Webber's musical?
Leila - It has definitely been the biggest highlight of my career so far. It's an
iconic role which I had to audition infront of Andrew himself for, nothing can
really beat that kind of pressure or excitement. . But it's been a wonderful
experience and I am still very much grateful for the opportunity to play her.
Sandra - What are some of the aspects you have brought into your
interpretation of Christine?
Leila - In my humble opinion I try my best to bring a youth and a vunerability
to the role. I feel she has no choice but to develop a great emotional strength as
a woman, brought on by her difficult life experience. I also lost the presence of
my father figure during my adolescence- So this crucial element I can
definitely identify with.
Sandra - How did you prepared for Christine role? Did you see any movie or
read the book?
Leila - Preparing for the role was a long and tiring experience. I had read
Gaston Leroux's novel, which was beautiful but incomplete as far as Christine
Daae's characterization was concerned. Rehearsals were one on one with my
director Laurence Connor and extremely intense. Most of the time was spent
just sitting with him and talking in great depth about Christine and who she
really is.
Sandra - What scene/song of the Phantom musical is your favorite and why.
Leila - It's very difficult to choose a specific scene. But I believe a huge turning
point for Christine is 'Wishing'. It is in this scene that she manages to come to
terms with the death of her father and finds some much longed for resolve.
This makes it a very emotional scene to play with so many detailed levels to
explore.. I feel it's a great song with very truthful journey.
Sandra - In the Phantom musical, what do you think it's the most important
scene and which one represents a bigger vocal difficult?
Leila - Once again I beleive Act 2 contains Christine's grittier more challenging
material. However, both dramatically and vocally 'Don Juan' (Past the Point) is
a very difficult scene for both the Phantom and Christine. It also comes late on
in act 2, so it's very trying on the stamina and the diaphragm!
Sandra - What do you think about Christine role and her relationship with the
Phantom and Raoul?
Leila - Well, I think it's very confusing for Christine as the Phantom represents
many things that are missing in her life. He is of course a father figure but he
also scares her like her father would never have. He is her mentor and teacher,
whom she respects and looks up to but she also has to deal with all the
complicated feelings a young vulnerable woman would feel towards a man.
She cares for Raoul greatly but she knows that his love for her is conditional as
he betrays her during 'Managers 2' by making her perform Don Juan and
consequently putting her life in danger. However, she also needs comfort and
can't be without him. I think part of her always knows that their future
together will live in the shadow of the Phantom and her troubled past.
Sandra - Can you tell us a good anecdote you remember from the play or the
rehearsals?
Leila - I remember during rehearsals getting in the boat for the first time or my
first ever costume fitting at Her Majestys' and feeling silly for not wanting to
go home! I was like a kid in a candy shop, all my senses were hightened. I
wanted someone to pinch me, it was scary and wonderful all at the same time,
being able to step right into a real life fairy tale- it was and still is a amazing
place to come to work.
Sandra - What is it, in your opinion, what makes the show so appealing?
Leila - Phantom has and will enjoy many more years on the London and
Worldwide stage. It is an iconic piece of Musical Theatre with a beautiful
molodic score, and a story that's truly magical. Who can resist it's charms? Once
the Overture starts and the chandelier rises we're captivated!
Sandra - You have been in wonderful musicals like Evita, A Chorus line, Les
Miserables in a charity gala performance in Malta...what role would you like to
play one day?
Leila - I am very ambitious, sometimes to the detriment of my own sanity!
There are many roles I would love to play one day: I was very lucky to play
Eponine in a Charity Gala concert of Les Mis. However, I would still love to
play her in London and Roxie Hart in Chicago would be so much fun as I am a
huge fan of Bob Fosse's choreography.
Sandra - Tell us about your future projects.
Leila - As far as future plans go, I am often a guest workshop teacher at The
Stagecoach Schools in London, it's great teaching their wonderful,talented kids.
I will also hopefully be appearing and performing at The Whatsonstage
Awards this year at Cafe De Paris. And of course I will performing indefinitely
as Christine in The Phantom of The Opera at Her Majestys' Theatre , London.
Interview exclusive for this site.
Please, don't copy this text without my permission.
Copyright by Ladyghost.
