Veronica Brooks is loving the prospect of playing the prima donna whose nose is put out of joint in Les Melodies Francais from SO Musical Theatre (November 7, 8 and 9, 7.30pm, The Barn Theatre, Southwick).
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00:00Good morning, my name is Phil Hewitt, Group Arts Editor at Sussex Newspapers. Lovely this
00:06morning to speak to Veronica Brooks. Now, Veronica, you are appearing in the Esso Musical
00:12Theatre offering Les Melodies Français, which is coming up in Southwick. Now, what's it
00:18all about? It sounds a lovely show, which appeals in so many different ways.
00:22Yeah, it can appeal to everyone, hopefully. There's some opera in there, there's some
00:27musical theatre in there. It's a brand new composition. This has been pulled together
00:31by Simon Gray, our musical director, who's absolutely brilliant at doing these types
00:38of shows. And so there's a whole blend of music that's drawn together in a story that
00:45gives you a glimpse into the lives of people within a cafe, why they're singing the songs
00:50they're singing, but actually culminates in an opera gala with a slightly jealous leading
00:58lady, that'll be me.
00:59You have been cast as the prima donna now.
01:02The prima donna. There's a new kid on the block that's been recently discovered, and
01:08that's putting my nose out of joint somewhat.
01:12You are feeling challenged here, are you?
01:14A little bit threatened. Will I be persuaded to sing or not? Or should I withhold my vocal
01:20talents? But my audience need me, my public expect me to sing.
01:25You are soothed into performing, aren't you?
01:28I am, I am. Yes, no spoiler there. But I go at it with a big, a big dramatic, coloratura
01:37aria to sort of the finale.
01:40And you've had a fabulous record of performance in so many different operas over the years,
01:45haven't you? What keeps you doing this? What's the pleasure for you?
01:49Oh, it's so lovely working with groups of people that are passionate about what they
01:53do. There's a social element, but there's also a sort of a great learning opportunity
02:00to discover some of these great operas and really be within them and understand the different
02:06characters and the music and then the drama. Yes, it keeps you going.
02:12It's the opportunities, isn't it? You've taken on some fabulous roles.
02:16I have. I've played some of the opera greats.
02:20Aida, Tosca, Violetta from La Traviata, Lady Macbeth.
02:26That's a great one. I've just I've been so lucky to have the opportunity to play these
02:32roles so varied. You'd never get to do that professionally because I would think that
02:37you can't possibly play all these different types of characters.
02:43So it's been great for me.
02:45And now you are the threatened diva.
02:47I am. I am. But I'll get over it.
02:53Fantastic. We're really lovely to speak to you and all good wishes for the future.
02:57Thank you. Thank you.