Interview: Actress Paige Peddie on playing Lorrell in the DREAMGIRLS UK tour

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

Dreamgirls is currently touring the UK and we recently had the chance to have a quick chat with Paige Peddie, who plays Lorrell in the show, at a launch event at The Alexandra in Birmingham, where the show will be playing from 6-31 December. So, here’s why you should go along for a bit of Christmas sparkle, Besties!

What first attracted you to the role of Lorrell?

It’s always been a dream show and dream role of mine. When I watched the film, I loved all the girls, I was a huge fan of Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson’s voice was incredible! The Lorrell character was the one that I found was most similar to myself and I still feel that now. I feel that I’m just playing a stagier version of myself, in a 60’s context. It’s really nice to be able to play a character that is so fun loving, warm and energetic and makes people feel joy every night. She’s so many different things and I love that I get to explore that with her every single night.

Which song is your favourite to perform in the show?

It changes all the time! I think currently ‘Steppin’ to the Bad Side’, just because the boys in that number are amazing. Their dancing is incredible and then we, as the Dreams, get to show up towards the end and it’s a big reveal. We get to walk down in these blue dresses and we get to give it all the attitude! Brandon, who plays, Jimmy is just smashing it with the vocals and it feels like a real moment.

If you could play any other role in the show, which would it be and why?

Jimmy! That’s why Lorrell and Jimmy work, because they match. He’s the boy version of her and gets to sing some amazing songs. Jimmy’s such a crowd favourite as well, he makes people laugh.

What is the funniest thing that’s happened to you on stage?

There are so many things! I put on a wig in one of the scenes and at one point, I didn’t have a mirror so I put the wig on upside down. It gets into the scene, which features an argument and it’s more serious, so I’m yelling at Jimmy and my fringe was at the back, just swinging back and forth, and everyone had to try not to laugh at me in this really serious scene!

What is your favourite venue to perform in?

I like various different venues for various reasons. Wimbledon because a lot of us have family and friends in London; Nottingham as well because that’s my home town, so family and friends who hadn’t seen me perform before could come and see the show, so that was really special. I also loved Edinburgh, Cardiff and Manchester, just all really fun cities that I haven’t explored before.

If you could play any role in any show, non-gender specific, what would it be?

Female, I’d love to play Ti Moune in Once On This Island. I got to see it on Broadway a few years ago and I just loved the show and that character. Male, would be maybe Aaron Burr in Hamilton. I think that would be really cool, or Thomas Jefferson. It’s a bit more fun and funkier, plus the music in Hamilton is incredible.

Tickets for Dreamgirls at select touring venues can be purchased here.