Leanne Jones: “I keep forgetting that it was me that won the Olivier

She was 22 years old when she opened HAIRSPRAY in London performing Tracy Turnbland, a fatty teenage that dreams about winning a dance TV Show. After the great Broadway success of the Show, HAIRSPRAY opened in London last year with Michael Ball leading the cast as Edna Turnbland, Tracy’s mother.

The great perform of Leanne Jones on the stage made her win an Olivier this year. She tells us about her feelings and about how she is living her success.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WINNING AN OLIVIER IN YOUR FIRST WEST END SHOW?
Obviously it was so wonderful, but it was such a bizarre experience, it felt like it was an ‘out of body’ experience, and now I keep forgetting that it was me that won it.

HOW IT IS TO WORK BESIDES MICHAEL BALL?
He is such a lovely man and he has a wicked sense of humour, He is also very supportive.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU THOUGHT WHEN YOU DISCOVERED YOU WERE GOING TO PERFORM TRACY?
“Oh my gosh, I have to go to the gym” and then “Waaaaaaah!!!!”

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT HER?
She is so confident and positive all the time. And she triumphs in the end through all that she goes through, she gets her man and her crown!!!

HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE PERFORMING TRACY?
In a lot of ways yes, at first it was madness, but now things have settled down into some normality. I can now sayI’m doing what I always wanted to do and what I trained to do.

DID YOU ENJOY THE FILM STARRED BY JOHN TRAVOLTA?
Loved it! It was just at the time when I’d found out I’d be playing Tracy on stage and I was waiting for weeks for rehearsals to start.

WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ENJOY MOST ABOUT HAIRSPRAY? THE MUSIC, THE STORY, THE CHARACTERS?
The story because the underdog triumphs, it’s colourful and fun for all the family.

IS THERE ANY EMOTIONAL MOMENT FOR YOU IN THE PERFORMANCE (OR WHICH YOU ENJOY MOST)?
In Act 2, I am left onstage on my own after a jail scene, everyone has left me.