Emma Elizabeth in the spotlight

Emma Elizabeth is playing Fairy Thorn in this year’s Princess Theatre Christmas adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Emma has played a number of roles in various UK Tours, including Shirley in the musical show Best of Broadway. She played the title role in a national tour of Cinderella in 2006 and in Aladdin in 2008 and, more recently, in Dick Whittington. Her latest role on stage was playing Julie in Tim Firth’s Sheila’s Island directed by Phil Astle. Emma is looking forward to this year’s Christmas production in Hunstanton and took some time out from rehearsals to talk to Town & Around’s Tim Keogh about her life and career.

TK: First of all, it is a pleasure to meet you. Let us start with your family background?

EE: Thank you, I’m a little nervous but here goes. I grew up in Sutton Coldfield with my mum, dad, twin sister and two younger brothers. We are all three years apart except me and my twin of course. I am six minutes older, although I thought for a lot of my life it was seven minutes, which of course makes all the difference! Funnily enough we are Geminis.

TK: Have you always wanted to be an actress?

EE: I have always loved acting and performing ever since Primary School, Assemblies and also school choir performances and then school plays from the start of secondary school. So yeah.

TK: So when did you first get into acting?

EE: I joined Highbury Youth Theatre in Wylde Green at the age of 13 which was the minimum age after I was shown an advert for them in the newspaper thanks to my family. I was naturally very very shy, particularly of my peers, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. That was my moment.

TK: Who has been your biggest inspiration?

EE: My Mum. She has always been but even more so in recent years during her four and a half years living with ovarian cancer until last November when she sadly passed away. She made the very best of the situation and faced it with so much determination and great bravery, able to continue to enjoy her time with her family including her two wonderful two-year-old grandchildren. She really loved them to bits and was so pleased to have them as she had always really looked forward to being a devoted grandmother. She also loved to help other people, particularly those she met during her treatment and during hospital stays, making friends with her ward mates. One lady said she had never had so much fun during a four-day hospital stay thanks to do with my mum being there in the bed next to her.

TK: Where did you go to school/uni/drama college?

EE: Wylde Green Primary school then Plantsbrook Secondary School in Sutton Coldfield & Aberystwyth University. I also took a course at the Guildford School of Acting which I adored.

TK: What was your biggest break?

EE: I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to play some brilliant roles, particularly over the last 13 years, which I have really enjoyed and have got so much out of. I am so looking forward to playing Fairy Thorn at Christmas.

TK: Which role have you enjoyed playing the most to date?

EE: I have enjoyed many roles for different reasons, so it is hard to pinpoint individual roles - some of my favourites to date were ‘Girl' in Veronica’s Room, Corie in Barefoot In the Park, Susanna in the Herbal bed, Catherine in The Winslow boy, Ruth Ellis in Thrill of Love and Margaret in Lovesong.

TK: Ever been star-struck?

EE: I worked in Billingham with Darren Day, Pauline Fleming, Duggie Brown and The Harper brothers. I wasn't star-struck as such as they were all so really friendly and very down to earth. They were inspirational people to work with and we had a great time working together that year.

TK: What do you feel are your strengths as an actress?

EE: I love dramatic roles, and it is wonderful when you can feel the audience are intensely silent and completely with you. It is great to feel an audience share your character feelings and emotions with you. Comedy can be great fun too, although I often prefer darker shows because of the deeper scope they give to my acting.

TK: Who is the best director you have worked with?

EE: I have worked with lots of really good ones who I have learnt a lot from. My dad was proud that I played Tommy the Cat in Freddie “Parrot face” Davies’s Dick Whittington in Bedworth.

TK: What’s the best acting advice you have received?

EE: To stay in the moment and to play it as if it was really happening to you at the time.

TK: Have you got a process or technique for getting into and developing your character?

EE: I like to learn my lines early and then develop my character, even more so in the rehearsal room. I like working with the other actors on stage and bouncing off them, making scenes really come alive. Eye contact with other actors on stage is so important - how alive, realistic and exciting that can make scenes.

TK: What’s the long term plan?

EE: To enjoy myself doing something that I am passionate about. I am not sure it is too easy to have one in this industry as I think some of the best things often come when you least expect them to.

TK: Any stage injuries?

EE: Whilst away on tour with the team to learn the show on the road to replace someone, I broke my foot, right before my dress rehearsal. 

TK: Did you take a break from acting?

EE: My lovely mum who I lived with as well as my dad was unfortunately diagnosed with ovarian cancer for which she fought with great determination since being diagnosed in Sumer 2019. I was able to make the best of spending very precious time with her and helping her as much as I could. I am so glad I was able to do this as I knew how precious this time was, and I am very lucky to say I have no regrets. I have lots of fond memories with my mum that we made together to treasure. I would like to dedicate this Christmas performance to her and also to Wilfred my rescue cat who passed away this year too. I know they will both have the best seats in the house for every performance as they will for all my future shows.

TK: How did you get this role?

EE: I know the panto director and Dame Mervyn Francis, having met him through mutual colleagues. He came to surprise me by watching me perform in Sheila's Island, which was my return to the stage. I actually reprised that role in October (which is a first for me) before starting this year’s panto. I loved every second of playing Julie again.

TK: Have you worked with producer Tom Rolfe before and what is he like?

EE: Not as a producer although I am excited to. He told me we actually shared the stage in Jack and the Beanstalk in Billingham Forum Theatre when he was a member of the young Ensemble with a brilliant theatre school ran by the lovely principle, Sue. I was actually The Crazy Frog when he was in his heyday having enjoyed playing skin characters (in full costume so no one knows who is behind the suit) at a park that summer when I was on the entertainments team. Skin characters are great, and you can have loads of fun in them, getting away with loads of mischief which the children really love to watch and seem to find very amusing. Unfortunately, I didn't get to ride the quad bike that they were hoping I would as the one that was sent was petrol and not allowed in the theatre, so the Crazy fog had to walk and run instead.

TK: What are the other cast members in this year’s production like? (Laura, Josh, Mervyn, Samuel and Jessica)

EE: I have only met Laura (Snow White) and Jessica (Queen Horibella) who are both great and I already knew Mervyn as I mentioned. He will be good to work with and I am very excited and really looking forward to sharing the stage with him for what will be his 45th professional panto. Funnily enough I had planned to come and see him in the panto anyway before being cast myself.

Mervyn Francis as Dame Dotty

TK: What do you do when you are not acting?

EE: I like watching shows, plays and musicals, singing and the outdoors. My favourite actress is Julie Andrew’s. I love a good sunset and seeing a bright moon which always reminds me of my mum and my rescue cat Wilfred. Travelling is one of my passions and I have been really lucky to have seen so many beautiful places and I hope to go to many more in the future. I love Asia and Asian food. I also take pleasure spending time with my niece and nephews, having them in our family for the last two years has been amazing. It is extra special because my new little second nephew - who is little brother to my niece - was only born last November.

TK: Favourite tipple?

EE: Rosé wine or tequila with lime and soda as a long drink - thanks to a lovely friend and a great actress for introducing me to it recently. Apparently, because of how your body processes it, you don't get a hangover and it is a natural upper not a downer.

TK: What would you have done if you hadn’t gone into acting?

EE: I am really not sure. People often say if there is something else you really wanted to do you would have done it instead. Whilst home nursing my mother I was taught various techniques including how to give her nutrition directly into her vein. One nurse said to me after that if I ever decided to go in to nursing there would be a job waiting for me to work with them. That was so moving to hear and very heart warming.

TK: What do you think to Hunstanton?

EE: I love it from what I have seen. I saw a beautiful sunset from the Sunset Lounge in May. It just seems like such a lovely, relaxed place and I am really looking forward to being back there sharing the stage with a great cast in what I know is going to be a brilliant show and experience.

TK: And finally, what’s your advice to any youngsters thinking of taking up acting?

EE: If you like or love acting join a youth theatre or drama class/group. It Is one of the very best things I ever did when I was 13. I loved drama at school, but I was super shy and quiet, especially amongst my peers. Pursuing your passion is one of the very best things you can do in life.

TK: It has been a real pleasure interviewing you. I look forward to the Pantomime and please don’t throw any custard pies my way.

EE: It has been lovely being interviewed by you. Fairies don't throw custard pies to my knowledge so I am perhaps not who you need to watch out for, but I will certainly have a word and see if a little fairy dust and magic can keep you safe from harm from any custard.

The Pantomine starts on Saturday, 7th December and runs until Sunday, 5th January. To book tickets you can contact the Princess Theatre Box Office on 01485 532252 or simply visit their website at www.princesshunstanton.co.uk