This is 1922

**I guess the obvious first question is what drew you to ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ as a show in the first place?**

**Beccy [Director]:** I’ve been a fan of the show for a long time and knew I wanted to put on something that was extremely funny but generally just an all round strong musical!

**Fraser [Musical Director]:** When Beccy first approached me and asked if I would like to be the Musical Director for Millie, I didn’t know much about it except that it was an old film featuring Julie Andrews. Having then listened to the soundtrack, I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to create an orchestra to play through all the jazzy music!

**There’s a lot of stigma attached to Musical Theatre in the arts world – many writing it off as pure ‘fluff’, but what is it about Musicals that you love so much?**

**Hannah [Vocal Musical Director]:** I think the thing with musicals (and I suppose with opera too), is you get to display emotion, a story through music, acting and dance. There are so many dimensions to the performance.

**Jack [Choreographer]: **I completely agree. I love the multidisciplinary nature of them. I think that dance offers an unprecedented visual experience and that singing has such emotive potential. It’s testimony to the hugely varying talents of musical theatre casts I think.

**Beccy:** I think in regard to the ‘fluffy’ stigma, lots of people are surprised how not all Musicals are just all song and dance and jazz hands which leave them feeling a little bit warm and fuzzy inside – some actually deal with serious social and emotional issues too.

**OK, so in terms of ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’, what should audiences expect?**
**Jack:** Well this show is a choreographer’s dream! It’s rare you get presented with such a dance heavy musical.

**Fraser:** Audiences can expect plenty of gags, an incredibly tight ensemble, toe-tapping tunes which will be in your head for weeks and a classic love story.

**Beccy:** Audiences can expect a lot of silliness! There’s some amazing choreography and the cast are so talented that they pull off roles such as lovers, divas, bad guys and good guys alike. We want people to come out wishing they lived the same, ridiculous lives as some of the characters, but to equally be entertained and impressed by the talent of some of their fellow students.

**The show’s resounding tag-line – “This is 1922!” – which is all over the ‘Keep Calm’ style marketing clearly tells audiences that is a historically set, but what do the 1920s mean to you?**

**Hannah:** 1920s makes me think of all the glamorous parties – lots of drinking and dancing! You also can’t forget the iconic bobbed hair.

**Beccy:** Yes, you can’t forget the bobs! For me, it’s the ‘The Great Gatsby’ era – a freedom to be what or who you want to be, and a rebelliousness that you don’t get nowadays! Also, the music and fashion was just incredible!

**Fraser:** From a musical perspective, the 1920s were all about the jazz. It was the perfect breakthrough after the many years of classical music. Such originality and opportunity was never possible before.

**So if you could be born into any other era in history, which one would you pick and why?**

**Jack:** As a dancer, the golden age of tap of course! Then I’d be able to jump up on a table and crack out some spontaneous moves unapologetically! But seriously they don’t make them like that anymore…

**Hannah:** I think it would have been cool to be a teenager in the 60’s and being part of the hippie movement. Besides that though, caveman times would also be cool!

**Fraser:** It’s all about the 80’s. Whilst the music was so cheesy, think of how many great songs we still have from that period.

**Beccy:** Cliché, but the 1920’s – why do you think I’m putting on this show!?

**In one word, how would you each describe the show?**

**Hannah:** Spectacular.

**Fraser:** Jazzy.

**Beccy:** Hilarious.

**Jack:** Fabulous.

**Well if after all those truly positive adjectives people need any more convincing, why should they come and see the show?**

**Fraser:** It is just two and a half hours of pure entertainment.

**Hannah:** Completely, and there is something for everyone to enjoy.

**Jack:** It truly showcases the diverse skills of the people here at Warwick and its light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek charm is irresistible.

**Beccy:** The cast are incredible and the team have worked so hard for the last five months on making the show look and sound great. It’s also a guaranteed laugh even if you don’t like musicals or the show itself! You’ll probably surprise yourself at how much you enjoy it. It’s truly loveable!

_‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ opens in the Warwick Arts Centre theatre on Wednesday night (Week 7) and has performances every night until the Saturday, with an additional matinee performance on the Saturday too. You can get tickets online or from the box office – Don’t miss out!_