Annalene Beechey: “If there weren’t Marguerites people wouldn’t be so moved by this story”

One of the most awaited musicals of this year is MARGUERITE-THE MUSICAL, a new musical with music by Michel Legrand and book by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg and Jonathan Kent.

Next to the three main characters of the Show played by Ruthie Henshall, Julian Ovenden and Alexander Hanson, there are a 16-strong cast in which Annalene Beechey stands out.  This Irish actress has starred musicals as LES MISÉRABLES, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE WIZARD OF OZ, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, INTO THE WOODS and WICKED.

Beechey tells us some details about this brand new musical that is succeeding in London.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING AFTER THESE FIRST DAYS OF PERFORMANCES OF MARGUERITE?
It feels great to have finally opened the show. We are all a little tired but relieved that we can now relax a little and just enjoy telling the story.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU WORKING IN THIS NEW MUSICAL?
I’ve always wanted to ‘create’ a role in the west end and now I’ve finally managed it. Also, working with the amazing creative team and cast we have has been a fabulous experience.

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE SONGS COMPOSED BY MICHEL LEGRAND?
Well, they are beautiful but not easy to learn and tricky to sing into your voice. He has a very particular style that encompasses almost your entire vocal range. But when you finally get it right it’s wonderful to sing. The man is a genius!

THE CHARACTER YOU PERFORM, ANNETTE, IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE STORY THAT TELLS THE SHOW, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE MOST OF HER?
I think she is a very loyal sister and fiancé who will do anything to protect the ones she loves. Even at the risk of her own life. She is very brave and I think represents the strength and courage of so many women in that time.

YOU PERFORM ONE OF THE HARDEST MOMENTS OF THE SHOW, WHERE YOUR CHARACTER APPEARS FULL OF BLOOD ON THE STAGE… HOW DID YOU WORK THAT SCENE? IS IT HARD TO YOU TO PERFORM IT?
It’s odd because I don’t speak at all in that scene so for me it’s all about my physicality. What’s difficult is the knowledge that this particular kind of torture did happen and indeed still happens in the world. All I have to do is think of that. It’s not an easy scene to play though. I also have an amazing make-up artist in the wings applying the make-up!

HOW IS IT WORKING WITH RUTHIE HENSHALL, JULIAN OVENDEN AND ALEXANDER HANSON? 
They’re wonderful, all of them. Ruthie is the perfect leading lady: talented yet totally down to earth and a great leader of the company. Julian playing my brother is so sweet, we have a great relationship as pretend brother and sister and Alex is such fun to work with, even if on stage we are enemies!

As Annette in the curtain call of MARGUERITE with Simon Thomas and Matt Cross.

DO YOU THINK THAT THERE COULD STILL BE “MARGUERITES” IN THESE YEARS? IF THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO FIGHT AGAINST SOCIETY RULES TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH THE PERSON THEY LOVE…
Absolutely. If there weren’t, people wouldn’t be so moved by this story. People will probably always have to fight in some way large or small for what they believe in. Though I live in hope that some day we can all accept and respect each others different opinions.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN CREATING A ROLE ON A NEW MUSICAL (AS MARGUERITE) AND DOING THE SAME ON A MUSICAL THAT IS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY WORKING FOR YEARS (AS THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA)?
The main difference is a creative one. Stepping into an already established show is more about picking up from where someone else left off. You have to maintain the character that someone else created. Whereas with a brand new show, you can try so many different approaches to things to find the way that tells the story, and indeed your characters story, the best. You get to create!