Interview: Actress Gina Murray on starring in new musical TRIO
West End star Gina Murray is currently starring in the world premiere of new intimate musical, Trio, which opens this evening for a limited run at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich. We caught up with Gina during final rehearsals to ask her about her experience thus far.
You come from quite an entertainment led family. If you hadn’t gone into the business, what career path would you have chosen?
There was never really too much doubt about what career I would follow, however I did toy with being a lawyer or working with languages somehow because I love French. I soon realised that it was more the dressing up in killer suits and being powerful that I was drawn to…. It was too high stakes for me to actually be involved in deciding on someone’s fate. I just wanted to pretend!
You’ve played some great roles in musical theatre, including Mama Morton in Chicago and Velma in Hairspray. What would be your ideal role to play?
I would love to play Rose in Gypsy. I am drawn to that powerful, unhinged, dangerous maternal thing! Ha! But my ambition is to star in a musical movie. Maybe a country star biopic or something of that nature. And to do some more screen work which is on its way next year, I’m happy to say.
You’re currently appearing in new musical Trio. What can audiences expect from this production?
Trio focuses on three central characters and it’s set in a recording studio. They all have their own charm in very different ways and are connected in a love triangle of sorts. It’s quite unique in its way. I can’t liken it to any other piece really. There are some quite dark themes but it is peppered with humour from Paul Sirett’s script and some fantastic songs (Ben Goddard) which are more rock/folk/country/pop than they are musical theatre. It’s quite an emotional journey but lots of fun too, as we travel from 1983 to the present day. Pete Rowe has directed myself and my co-stars Richard Costello and Ian McLarnon deftly and with humour and sensitivity. I’m so pleased to get the chance to work with this incredible team on such a brand new and exciting piece.
Trio is based in a very musical setting. Which song is your favourite to perform in the show and why?
Ben is such an incredible songwriter and musician, as well as being a performer himself. I’ve long been a fan and in fact, he’s currently co-producing my own album and arranging it. His songs are wonderful. If I have to choose I would say ‘Stay Away’ at the end of Act One. He knows my voice better than anyone else!
How does it differ performing in a show with such a small cast to performing in those big West End shows?
This is a very different experience from working on a big West End show. It’s way more intimate and that means the connection with the audience is much more personal than it is on a big show. With only two other actors to share the lines and songs with, it means I’m doing so much more acting and line learning than I have done in a VERY long time. But it also means a stronger bond and closer relationship with my fellow actors than you sometimes get. I’m never off that stage, though. Normally I enjoy lots of tea breaks! We have to support each other much more than we would have to do with a big cast. I am loving this whole experience. Come see us!
Trio plays at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich until 15 October, with tickets available here.