So you're currently doing Spamalot in New York. What's New York like compared to London?
It's certainly more buzzy. People always say how buzzy and exciting it is, and it really is!
Probably because the mini cabs drive so fast! They just whizz past you! And the people are a little bit more friendly. There's a bigger sense of community here.
So do you prefer England or New York?
Well England is always my home so I can't really compare. But being here and doing all this exciting work…You can't beat it! For work, New York is the place to be. I'm here for 6 months and it's great! I keep thinking someone will turn to me and tell me I only have 2 weeks!
Can you tell us a bit about your character on Spamalot?
I play The Lady of the Lake, who is essentially King Arthur's prophet guide. In the film, it was just a hand coming out of the water so I'm glad they developed the character a bit more. Basically my story line is that without him realizing it, him realizing it, I pop up at times when he needs guidance and I am his prophet guide. It's also about adding a
bit of glamour to the show. I get to come on with these ridiculous outfits! They're the most insane yet beautiful costumes that I've ever worn in my life! And the heaviest...
What’s the best thing about playing "The Lady in the Lake"?
It's very well written and it's extremely funny! It gives me a chance to do comedy, which is my favourite thing! Also almost all of my lines are sung, so it's more singing than acting! It is an acting part, but the majority is singing and it's basically making fun of every singing genre possible! I do an impression of Celine Dion, Cleo Completely ridiculous!
You mentioned you prefer acting comedy. Do you believe comedy is harder to act or drama?
I wouldn't say comedy is harder, but it's just as hard! With comedy, especially this play, you have to say your lines and leave the audience to laugh...not say them and find yourself funny.
Have you ever had a moment when you say a line and you are just dying to laugh?
One of the first times you go through the play, because at that time you're like an audience member. You laugh because it's funnier. After a while it becomes an art form and you have to find a way to say it so that the audience will laugh. In the end, when you say the line very straight and honest, the audience laughs the most, because you're not commenting on it.
So you also have some films coming out in 2008…
Yes! I have How to Lose Friends & Alienate People, where I play Jeff Bridges’ daughter, who’s a very haughty, you-don’t-speak-to-me-unless-I-speak-to-you. She’s the daughter of the company and actually, on the trailer of the film, there’s a funny moment where I’m standing on the lift with them both in my dark sunglasses and looking hideously like Victoria Beckham and Simon Pegg coughs up a bit of burger on my back. Filming that, honestly, I don’t know how many takes we did! As it landed on my back, I had to just be still…but feeling a bit of burger on your back…all of us wanted to roll on the floor with laughter! That comes out in the autumn approximately.
Wow sounds like your character is a spoilt brat!
Oh I’m absolutely vile in it! Haughty and hideous!
Was it fun playing the “baddie”?
Oh it was brilliant! She’s not bad…she’s misunderstood! She’s a real desperate housewife type! She doesn’t expect anyone to talk to her because she’s far too busy!
So you act and you sing…do you prefer singing to acting?
If somebody said to me, you can either never sing again or never act again, there would be no competition! Singing is my blood!
So did you start singing first?
Not really…above everything, I started dancing first! I’ve been doing ballet, jazz, tap and modern since I was 3! I loved it and always had a real flair for it! The acting and the singing come hand in hand…I wouldn’t want to give either up but if somebody pushed me…when I can’t sing due to a bad throat, I don’t feel like me. So that tells me singing is my first love.
You sing, you dance, and you act! Wow!
Ah yes! It’s what they call the triple threat! I think that when there are so many people out there auditioning for things, you are a triple threat! You have to be able to do all three because there are so many people that can do stuff! If you’re auditioning for a movie and they say, there’s going to be a bit of dancing in it, I want to be the one that says, Yeah! I can do that!
You’ve received many awards and nominations! How did that feel?
It was a lovely finale to a very successful opening in Spamalot. I was already satisfied with what I was doing and to receive an Olivier nomination for it was extraordinary!
What advice would you give to upcoming actors?
Make sure you’re the best at what you do. Work hard enough so you can be the top of the pile. You also need to have enough of a passion for it.
And now…time of our random questions!!
Describe yourself in 3 words!
Tall. Happy. Daft.
If you were a super hero, who would you be?
Wonder woman obviously! Actually no…wait…I’d rather be superman! He has all the powers without silly gadgets!
If you were stuck on a desert island with only 3 things, what would they be?
My diaries so I can remember my happy memories with friends (I write in my diary every day). My ipod because I can’t live without music. Crips, particularly walker’s salt and vinegar!!
Tell me a random fact about you that nobody knows.
I can speak Italian!
They say everyone has a price…what’s yours?
A good bottle of red wine! Or a holiday to the Maldives!
What do you find more boring than watching paint dry?
Housework!! Specifically dusting! Why can’t things keep clean!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had in your mouth?
When I had throat problems, I had to put this thing down my throat! It’s definitely the most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever had in my mouth!
How would you survive a crocodile attack?
By not smiling at him! *sings* Never smile at a crocodile
Would you rather live without knee joints or elbow joints?
Elbow joints! You can’t walk without knee joints!
How can fans contact you?
I have a website. www.hannahwaddingham.com
