INFORMAL - AN INTERVIEW SERIES
ALEXANDRA BURKE
Alexandra Burke won the fifth series of The X Factor back in 2008 and her debut single Hallelujah not only became the European record holder for the most singles sold over 24 hours, but was also the top-selling UK single of the year and secured the 2008 UK Christmas number one spot.
Since then she has released 3 albums and has had a record-breaking stint on Strictly Come Dancing, coming in second. She has also led West End musicals The Bodyguard and Sister Act to critical acclaim as well as having a starring role in the iconic London Palladium pantomime. She's back in panto this year, reprising her role as Mrs Blunderbore in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at the New Wimbledon Theatre.
When we met Alexandra had just completed a succesful run of Sister Act at London's Dominion Theatre so I asked her about her experience stepping back into the habit: "It was just beautiful. Deloris is such a fun character to play and the Alan Menken score is just unbelievable to sing. Doing the show this time around, with two kids, was very different from doing it the first time. I had a lot less energy but I refused to take a show off! The cast were fantastic and the crew were amazing and it was such a great experience. To go back to it for 3 months felt like the perfect amount of time, and to play at the Dominion Theatre was a dream and was so special."
It seems it was almost a 'pinch me' moment for Alexandra: "It was overwhelming at times to be playing the Dominion, and seeing myself on buses with the cast! I've made friends for life in that show. Lee Mead is now going to be my brother for life, and theatre needs Ruth Jones. She was brilliant."
And now she's stepping back into pantoland as Mrs Blunderbore: "I'm the giant's wife. The first time I played this role I wasn't sure how to play the baddie until I got the costume on! I had to learn just to let go and my power and inspiration came when I was in that costume. I now understand why people always told me that playing the baddie is the best, because you just get to have fun."
I wondered how she thought her two young children would take to seeing her as the baddie: "I don't think they'll recognise me! When I played Deloris I had to get dressed in front of them for them to realise it was mummy. I think they will react quite well. They both absolutely love music and love to dance."
I was interested how different Alexandra thinks panto is to doing musical theatre: "With more shows a week it's harder, although I personally think you can have more fun with a panto because the audience can become involved which allows them to let go and me to break the fourth wall."
And each panto role is always built around the person playing it so will always be different: "I get to do some of my own songs which is great, and Joe (Pasquale) is a great director and I'll do whatever he says and just go for it."
I asked Alexandra why people should come and see Jack and the Beanstalk in Wimbledon: "First of all the casting is epic. I feel so privileged to be doing this show with these people and I've worked with Ceri Dupree before who is just phenomenal. Panto is an escape and allows kids and grown ups to just let go and enjoy themselves. Wherever you live you should get out and support your local theatre and enjoy their panto offering. It's an institution and the legends that have performed in panto and passed the baton down are incredible"
Alexandra has an incredible work ethic and her love for performing shines through: "Because it's such a short run, I try not to take a show off. Even when going through it or I'm not feeling my best I get Doctor Make-up on and I go for it. I take pride in not coming off stage unless I absolutely have to, and everyone in panto is the same. The audience have spent their hard earned money to come and see us and we want to give the same level of performance every night."
I wanted to know how she juggles being a mum with performing in panto, as well as looking after her own wellbeing: "To be honest I don't know! It's the season where everyone gets bugs but my attitude, because of how I was raised by my mum, is 'The Show Must Go On' so I don't care what I'm going through - you'll have to drag me off that stage. I'll have lots of vitamin C and try and get as much rest as I can. Get my head down and keep going. I just love to work."
I can see her passion for performing from her body language and from the way she is speaks about her work: "I just love it and I haven't even let you get a question in because I can't stop talking!"
I finished by asking Alexandra if there is one role she would love to play on the stage: "A couple of years ago I really wanted to play Tina (Turner). That would have been quite something. I'm lucky to have played my dream role of Roxie (in Chicago) but I'd really love to play any role in The Color Purple." As soon as she said this I instantly saw her in the role of Shug.
It was so lovely to meet Alexandra and you can catch her now in the GIGANTIC pantomime JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, which is presented by New Wimbledon Theatre and Crossroads Pantomimes, alongside Joe Pasquale as Silly Simon, Ria Jones as The Spirit of the Beans, Ceri Dupree as Dame Trot and Benjamin Yates as Jack Trot.
Jack and the Beanstalk
New Wimbledon Theatre
Saturday 7th December 2024 - Sunday 5th January 2025
Interview conducted by Neill Kovacic-Clarke for Pink Prince Theatre on 18/09/24
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