Jenna Lee-James “You can’t help but love JOSEPH”

Last January Jenna Lee James joined the cast of JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT as the Narrator. The Show lead by Lee Mead is being a great success at the Adelphi Theatre since its opening, on July 2007.

Jenna Lee James explains us their feelings about her performing in this Webber & Rice musical.

YOU STARTED PLAYING THE NARRATOR IN JOSEPH LAST JANUARY. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO PLAY THIS ROLE?
It actually means a lot to me. To come from a Rock show with no Musical Theatre training and landing the lead female role in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is just amazing for me. It’s a hugely respected role so to be asked to do it means more than a lot for me.

THE MUSICAL IS HAVING A GREAT SUCCESS IN LONDON. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THIS MUSICAL LIKES SO MUCH?
The musical score is timeless and is known to children and grown ups world wide. I think it brings back so many memories of peoples childhood, as many performed this show at school when they were young. It’s a fun show with no hidden agenda and a great story. You can’t help but love it.

JOSEPH IS PLAYED BY LEE MEAD, THE WINNER OF ‘ANY DREAM WLL DO’. WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT LEE HAS THAT CAUSES SO ADMIRATION BETWEEN HIS FANS? HOW IS TO WORK BESIDES HIM?
Lee is a fantastic performer who is dedicated to his work.  He had worked in the industry before ‘Any Dream Will Do’ and knew what lay ahead of him when he won. He is charming and kind and always has times for his fans. They love him because he is good and he is a very strong and consistent leading man.  He owns the stage when he’s on it. Working with him is fantastic.  We have become good friends and work well together onstage. We both have the same passion for what we do which helps make our working relationship stronger.

NARRATOR TELLS THE STORY OF JOSEPH TO NEAR A HUNDRED OF CHILDREN. IS IT EASY TO WORK WITH SO MANY CHILDREN? HAVE EVER HAPPENED SOMETHING ESPECIALLY FUNNY WORKING WITH THEM?
People always say ‘never work with children’ but I have to say I love it. To see a child smile and laugh is the best feeling. Our children are all fantastic and they love the show. I sometimes feel like I am actually their teacher as they are so well behaved and they always listen to what I say onstage and react to it. Nothing majorly funny has ever really happened working with them.

LAST 1ST MARCH, YOU CELEBRATED THE 40 ANNIVERSARY OF JOSEPH. HOW WAS THAT NIGHT?
That night……wow….well who would have thought way back in 1968 that little show Andrew and Tim wrote would be performing to sell out audiences 40 years later in London’s West End.  It was a moving night for me to be part of something so special.  Having the original cast in the audience watching and meeting them afterwards was very special.  It was strange though meeting not just one Narrator but ‘Four’ as the original production had 4 different people sing the role and also they were all ‘Men’!!  Having Andrew and Tim there also made it special. I look forward to the 50th Anniversary!!!

DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT “ANY DREAM WLL DO”?
I certainly do. If you believe in your dreams hard enough then they will come true!! Anything is possible if you truly believe in it!!

YOU WERE PLAYING SCARAMOUCHE IN DOMINION’S WE WILL ROCK YOU. HOW DO YOU REMEMBER IT? WHAT DID IT MEAN TO YOU?
Scaramouche was a phenomenal experience for me. It was my first leading lady role and it was a role that I had covered for 3 and a half years prior to taking over. It was also my first west end show, so to play the lead in it was my ‘Dream come true’.

HOW WAS IT TO SAY GOODBYE TO THAT SHOW AFTER FIVE YEARS WORKING ON IT?
It was extremely hard to say goodbye to the show. It had become my second family. I was leaving behind a great show but also my friends that I had seen every day for the last 5 and a half years. Leaving Scaramouche was also very hard but we do all have to move on sometimes and it someone else time to take care of her. I will cherish all my memories of ‘Rock You’ and they will stay with me forever.

YOU STARTED WORKING IN MUSICALS VERY YOUNG. HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN THAT YOU WANT TO WORK IN THIS WORLD?
I was performing from a very young age but it wasn’t until the age of 21 that I actually made the decision to move into musical theatre. I always loved the musicals but I never thought I’d be good enough to get into one let alone play the leading lady. I have been blessed with a lot of luck. Someone is definitely looking over me.