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. BonnieFanChatter Interviews
Trevor: Hi Bonnie, it’s good to see you again. You’re looking great and smiling broadly, is that because you’re glad to be back in the West End in a hot and sassy role? Bonnie: I'm delighted to be in the West End again. I love the atmosphere, the workload and the reaction from the audience. Moving from the Adelphi Theatre to the Cambridge Theatre was fabulous too. Not only does it feel refreshed and re-energised, it feels more intimate (without being cramped) and it all enhances the enjoyment of the performance. Trevor: On opening night the Theatre was full and throbbing with fans of all ages. The four young women beside me were yelling for you to come out and “give it to ‘em Bonnie!”. Can you feel anything of that support and enthusiasm back stage? Bonnie: With a show such as Chicago, you get a wide range of ages and nationalities in the audience, but the show seems to appeal to everyone for different reasons. Trevor: The show is full of young fit performers with great figures and springs for legs – how do you manage to keep looking as good as you do and match them for energy? Bonnie: The cast are all very fit - in more ways than one - and I find that doing the show keeps me likewise! Trevor: You look so at home with the Fosse style of routine, did this help sway you to accept the role? Bonnie: I am a great admirer of all of Bob Fosse's work. I played Charity in Sweet Charity, a show which was created by the man himself. We were able to re-create the original choreography for our production in the West End which was a huge honour. A couple of years ago I appeared in the UK Tour of Fosse, so visited the style again and I'm calling this one 'third time lucky' but, hopefully not the last. Trevor: Roxie’s dream of becoming a big Vaudeville star seems so like what young hopeful performers still face today. Is there much difference between the modern Theatre scene and those 20’s Chicago days do you think? Bonnie: I think Roxie's story is very relevant to today, hence it's success this time round. However, I think the business is very different. Life is much quicker and so is our taste for newness. People become famous much quicker and greater and then are dropped quicker too. In the 20's you had time to learn your craft to help you through the tough times. Trevor: I noticed from the programme that some of the performers have followed their Chicago role around the World, but you have performed so many different roles through a varied and brilliant career. Do you prefer a variety of challenges over the security of a long contract? Bonnie: I do like to be challenged, but I understand that, once a show like Chicago gets into your system it's hard to find anything as fulfilling especially for dance - based artists. Trevor: Chicago is arguably the most successful musical of all time and Roxie Hart one of the most desired roles. Where do you go from here? Bonnie: Who knows - I'll tell you when it's official! Trevor: I love your portrayal of the Ventriloquists doll as you sit on Billy Flynn’s lap. Now, tell me honestly, did you learn any of your technique from Dick Van Dyke in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Bonnie: No! I think that number is brilliantly staged and always gets a great response. My microphone pack is in the back of my wig, though so I have to be careful when I throw my head back and forth. Trevor: It’s a long show too; do you find it very difficult to learn all those lines and steps? Bonnie: It's a complex show with a lot of pace and rhythm. Learning it was harder than I imagined and it took time to 'time' things with the audience. But now it's such fun and there's so much room for discovery. I don't think it would ever be boring! Trevor: And how about coping with swapping routines as you have to when you take a night out to perform in “Short & Curly” with Sandi Toksvig? Bonnie: Performing two shows simultaneously has it's moments! Mostly good ones though. One Saturday, I performed the matinee of Chicago and the evening show of Short And Curly. They are extremely different shows, but I think it's great and sometimes it helps you to approach each one with a new outlook. I hate missing shows, but I hope the audiences have been well informed in advance. Trevor: Do you, or have you ever, suffered from stage fright? Bonnie: Fortunately, I've never suffered from stage fright as such, however, I do get nervous especially on the ice!!! And I don't really like that feeling - it takes up valuable energy. Once I get settled with a show, I lose the fear very quickly and then it's a feeling of anticipation and joy. Trevor: Would you say some theatres are less intimidating than others? Bonnie: No. I love live theatre and the grander the better!! there are many old ghosts particularly at the West End theatres and I love the fact that I'm treading the boards with some of the great and good. Trevor: Judging by the crowd and their reaction on opening night it would seem the “Classic Musical” is still highly popular. What does Musical Theatre hold in store for the future and do you think our children’s generation will have a chance to play “Roxie” when they grow up? Bonnie: Too difficult to answer now!!!!! This is like the South Bank Show!!!! Trevor: Dancing on Ice was a great success and loved by millions. Would you do it again? Bonnie: YES! I was terrified and thrilled all at the same time. To be a part of something so new and so loved is fantastic and to have been in the first series even better. I was reluctant to do it, but I'm so glad I did. Trevor: Well Bonnie, I guess we’re out of time as I know you have to rush off for tonight’s performance. Thank you so much for being so generous with your time yet again and for giving us an insight into what goes into being Bonnie Langford. You really are an inspiration to so many young performers and I’m sure they would all want me to wish you continued success in Chicago and whatever comes next!
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Langford - The Chicago Interview.......