Debbie Kurup: “THE BODYGUARD is a dream job”

Thea Sharrock’s production of THE BODYGUARD, which opened in the West End in December 2012, has announced recently the release of over 250,000 tickets for sale, taking bookings at the Adelphi Theatre to 28 September 2013.

Starring Heather Headley (until 10 August 2013) as Rachel Marron and Lloyd Owen (until 7 September 2013) as Frank Farmer and based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated film, Sharrock’s production of this new musical has book by Alex Dinelaris.

In the current cast, performing the role of Nicki Marron alongside Headley and Owen, is Debbie Kurup, a British actress which West End credits include the roles of Velma Kelly in CHICAGO, KT in SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL, Dee Dee in TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT and Mimi in RENT.

Debbie Kurup gives us a brief insight to her work in THE BODYGUARD.

HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE BODYGUARD SO FAR?
I love coming to work every day – we have such a great team. It’s a dream job.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST PERFORMING THE PART OF NICKI MARON?
I love the dramatic scenes in Act 2, but don’t want to give too much away.

HOW WAS THE REHEARSAL PROCESS? WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EXCITING THING FOR YOU IN BEING PART OF THE CREATION OF THE SHOW?
We had a very relaxed rehearsal room and were encouraged to ‘play’ and ‘experiment’. I love that about creating something new.

!! THIS IS THE SECOND SHOW YOU ARE PART OF WHICH IS BASED ON A FILM... WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING IN BRINGING POPULAR FILMS TO THE STAGE?
There will always be certain expectations and audiences will come with pre-conceived ideas. So we must stay true in our convictions.

DID YOU LIKE ‘THE BODYGUARD’ BEFORE BEING PART OF THE SHOW?
Yes, I watched it 100 times I’m sure!

HOW HAS THE AUDIENCE REACTION BEEN SO FAR?
They are overcome with emotion a lot of the time and they seem to love it. Which we are very happy about!

HOW IS IT WORKING WITH HEATHER HEADLEY AND LLOYD OWEN?
Terrible! ONLY JOKING! I love them. We have so much fun!

WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE SHOW?
The cabin scene in Act 2.

WHICH WHITNEY HOUSTON SONGS DO YOU LIKE THE MOST?
“So Emotional” and “I Have Nothing”.

YOU HAVE HAD AN EXTENSIVE CAREER IN MUSICAL THEATRE… WHICH ARE THE ROLES YOU FEEL PROUDEST OF?
I was extremely proud to play Mimi in RENT and also playing Velma in CHICAGO 3 months after having my daughter, I guess that was an achievement!