THEATRE SPECIAL! - SHOWGIRLS

There are enough theatre performances touring Australia to rival New York's Broadway, and we caught up with seven leading ladies

AMY MANFORD

CHRISTINE DAAÉ IN THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

FIRST SHOW YOU EVER DID? It was actually Christine [Daaé] in Phantom, so this is a full circle moment for me.

BEST TACTIC FOR STAGE FRIGHT? I think about myself as an audience member and how excited I am to see the show.

OF ALL THE SHOWS CURRENTLY TOURING, WHICH DO YOU LOVE MOST? Mary Poppins. It was practically perfect in every way.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SLIPPED UP ON STAGE? Oh my God. When do I not? The most memorable was once in Phantom in a scene where fireballs are directed towards Christine. It's safe fire but in this particular instance it somehow got underneath my dress. The dresses Christine wears are huge, with layers upon layers of petticoats. As I walked back to my dressing room, everyone was asking what smelled, and when my undresser began to take the dress off me we realised the underskirt was on fire!

WHAT TRAITS DO YOU SHARE WITH CHRISTINE? She's a very passionate person. And she is a woman of extraordinary curiosity and bravery. I'd like to think I'm quite similar to that.

FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE SHOW? When the chandelier rises. It's the most iconic and exciting moment. I always watch it from backstage and it never fails to send a shiver down my spine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT OPERA.ORG.AU

AISHA AIDARA

ROSE IN HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE WHEN YOU LANDED ROSE? I was on a road trip with my best friend. We got pizza and I just sat there and thought, well, I guess I’m not going to drama school anymore.