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[0:00] Mia Carragher: My name is Mia Carragher and you're listening to Eleven, the official theatre podcast.

[0:15] William J Connolly: Hello and welcome to Eleven, the official theatre podcast that brings the biggest stars and creatives together in one place to discuss life in the arts. She's the stage actor that's currently kicking some serious butt in adaptor Connor McPherson and director Matthew Dunster's extraordinary stage adaptation of The Hunger Games on stage at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, helping usher in a live and in-person world for the icon herself, Katniss, in what marks her official theatre debut. So let's dive straight in and head backstage to her dressing room to find out what life is like inside the world of Suzanne Collins and why she felt great privilege in being the person to originate a role like this.

Including embracing the nerves, having an army of fans throw their arms around you, and how you build up a role that is equal parts script and superhero with the level of extra physicality and stunt work required. We also dive into her favourite fan reactions to this live experience, misbehaving props, why it's insane being in a space like the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, the debut of this new theatrical space for London, and why you never truly lose the feeling of being a fan in this world. And the great privilege she's felt in helping to bring Katniss into this next chapter, honouring the books of before and what Jennifer Lawrence did so perfectly on screen. It's all there, but this time with a new soaring star at the helm.

It is kick-ass superstar herself Mia Carragher, here now on this the next episode of Eleven, the official theatre podcast. Please help me welcome to this the next episode of Eleven. She is the superstar stage actor that's currently leading Connor McPherson's extraordinary stage adaptation of The Hunger Games on Stage at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, ushering in a new world as the icon herself, Katniss. And she's here to tell me about kicking some serious butt and getting to call it work. So I say, hello Mia Carragher, how are you?

[2:19] Mia Carragher: God, how are you?

[2:20] William J Connolly: I'm doing very well, thank you so much for giving me some of your time today. Am I right in saying, are you at the theatre now? Where are you now?

[2:26] Mia Carragher: Yeah, I'm actually up in my dressing room in the theatre doing this interview. I thought it'd be easier and then I just probably need to be around anyway because I need to be here soon. I basically live here, so yeah.

[2:37] William J Connolly: What's it been like then getting to call that space home? Because this is a brand new theatre, this is a very exciting space. And as you say, you've made this your home. This is a space and a set which we'll talk about in a second, but this is a world that you've sort of thrown yourself into. How is life inside that space? I imagine very exciting.

[2:54] Mia Carragher: Yeah, it's very exciting. It's really fun and I think because it's in Canary Wharf as well, we're kind of like separated from other theatres. So I think like everyone in the cast were like such a family and like even like other daytime you'll be like walking around Canary Wharf and you're just like, hey, hey, like everyone like backstage, like stage management, like warm, like you're just bumping into people constantly. And it's like we all live in this little village together. It's really good.

[3:22] William J Connolly: When the show even first opened, I had the pleasure of coming down to that space. I did get to actually have gone up on the lift and some of the set, which was just mind blowing for me. So I can only imagine what that experience is like for you. But that space is huge. It's brand new. It's special. And it feels so extraordinary just to be inside of it. Has that feeling, is that feeling still there for you where you're like, wait, I'm actually in The Hunger Games?

[3:43] Mia Carragher: Yeah, I think like, I think because it's like day in, day out, like and then you have like little moments where you think, oh my God, this is insane. Like what is going on? Even like looking out of the audience or sometimes when we go into the space and there's nobody sat there and you look how many seats there are. You're like, what the hell? Just because it comes like such a norm. But I remember when we first like came up on that lift and like in the centre of the stage and everyone was like, whoa, whoa, whoa. Like no one could get over it. And then because we had to do it that many times in tech, it was funny. Like after the 10th time, everyone was like, send us off. Do you know what I mean? Like it gets so normal.

[4:22] William J Connolly: It's also a moment in the show. And again, we're going to go around any spoilers or anything, but it's also a moment in the show that's that proper big production, high value moment where actually if you sent yourself in this space and you're an audience member, you probably think like, what's it like being inside the Hunger Games? Or what's it like being like this cast member? Which I imagine for you, it's probably cool that you're the person that gets to do it. You're the person that gets to spend every single day there. I imagine people that love the series, love the books and of course now love this show are like, I imagine that's pretty cool. What's it like for you to actually get to be the person to do it? Like this is your baby, this is your all and you're the one that gets to, in some days, have probably a lot of fun.

[4:59] Mia Carragher: Yeah, no, it's so amazing. And I feel like so privileged to do it. And I think now because well, how long have we been doing it? Maybe like eight months? Like, we have like 10 weeks left. And I think now it's like, really hitting me that I'm like, oh my god, I'm not, I'm not going to be the one who's doing it. It's going to go on to a next person. And that's like, oh my god, because I feel so like, I was a part of like the creation for it. And it's like, really special to me. And yeah, I just, I can't really, I don't know how to explain it. But I just feel so like, like precious and like, think it's like a super special thing. And I also like still kind of can't believe it. Like, even when I like say like, I go on my phone, I'm like the Hunger Games stuff. And I'm like, oh my god, I'm in it. Like, it's actually crazy.

[5:46] William J Connolly: You get like that as well with that rather iconic poster that people see on the tube and around London of you as this iconic character, because I see that you post selfies with yourself, which I love.

[5:54] Mia Carragher: Yes. I was like, I couldn't believe it. Because I, everyone was like sending me pictures of it. And I was like, I haven't seen one. I haven't seen one. And I was on an escalator. And I was just by myself. And I saw like one and it was quite small. And I was like, running up it while it was going down, because I kept trying to get a selfie with it. And then I was like, oh my god, and it looked, I looked terrible on it. So I was like, I need to find another one. And then I found one that was quite big. So I was like getting selfies with it. And then now if I see it, if I'm like with my mates, they'll be like, get a picture, get a picture. But it's crazy. There was some at my home in Liverpool, like in Liverpool, Lime Street station. So that was really cool. So like everyone at home was taking pictures as well to be like, oh my god, that was really nice.

[6:36] William J Connolly: Also, if it's back home, does that mean your family see you when you're in London, but they see your posters with that? Wait, she's, she's kind of here.

[6:42] Mia Carragher: Yeah, yeah, they're probably like, oh, she's here in spirit. When they like get on the train to London and stuff. Yeah, it's so cool.

[6:49] William J Connolly: My next question for you is going to be, were you a fan of this world and this series in these books before? But I imagine from the things that you've just said that actually, this isn't normal to you. This is still crazy. And while it's obviously become somewhat usual to you, you probably do remember what that feeling was like back at the beginning when you were first auditioning, and you found out she was going to be yours. Can you tell me about what was that moment like when they went, yep, it is you?

[7:11] Mia Carragher: I just had like a weird little feeling. And like, I mean, I've had that before and not got the part, you know what I mean? When you're like, oh my god, it's meant for me, then you just don't even get it. So you're like, oh, but I was like, I just felt super like relaxed and like confident and just thought if it's meant to be mine, it will happen. I knew I was, I was like quite towards the end. So I was like, just for like the whole two weeks was just like so nervous because I'm going to find out soon. And then when I did find out I was actually like, I was like in shock a bit and I was like so happy and like, oh my god, like screaming, like ringing everyone. And then it was like a couple of days later when I was a bit like, oh my god, I'm terrified. Like, what do I actually have to do? Because at this point, like, I didn't really know the script we were going to use or how it was going to be like set. And I was just like, oh my god.

[8:28] Mia Carragher: Never. I remember like, when it first went out, I was like, whoo, like bracing myself and I just like, could not even like have prepared for what it was going to be like. And I remember Matthew, the director, Matthew Dunster text me and he just was like, you broke the internet. And I was like, oh yeah. And I was like, I kind of did. It was like literally everywhere. I couldn't believe it.

[8:47] William J Connolly: It just shows, though, how much love there is from fans and the fact that people are so invested. And I imagine you do feel that every day. You are aware of the fact that while people are obviously beautifully nervous, and I always think people are very protective of this world, they also have gone on this journey with you and continue to show up. And I imagine even as you say, like eight, nine months in, that sense of love hasn't gone away. You're very well aware of the people that are still and continue to be with you from a fan perspective.

[8:56] William J Connolly: It's also extraordinary as well. I imagine that part of the process for you, because as you rightly said there, there was obviously people knew that it was happening and The Hunger Games were going to happen, but they didn't know where it was going to be set or what period of time, what sort of part of the story, if it's gonna be something new or something that was going to replicate the past and that they knew. And you were going to be the person to do that, which I imagine is this beautiful mix of like, probably being utterly terrified. And also, I am the person that's going to get to do it. And that reaction online, like when the first images of you and the cast announced, I mean, have you ever experienced anything like that?

[9:11] Mia Carragher: Oh my God, of course. Like there's been so many people that just people have come like 30 times or just like they come all the time and then you know them, then you see them in the audience. And to know that someone wants to come back that many times, it's kind of like, OK, like we're doing something right. Like they're enjoying it. We're bringing like the happiness and like they want to keep coming to watch it. So that kind of gives you like the OK, you can like settle. It's OK.

[9:36] William J Connolly: Can you tell me then about when you got that script and you knew, right, this is what I'm going to do. This has got to get into my brain. Where did you start finding your version of her? And did you look to the past? Did you want to honour that or was that something you went, I can't be that person? And more importantly, I'm not that person. Let me find me in her.

[9:57] Mia Carragher: Because I had watched the film so many times, I couldn't like when I got the script, I couldn't help but be like, I wonder how Jennifer Lawrence would say it. Do you know what I mean? And like it was just that was just kept coming to me. But then when I like read the book, because I watched the film first and then when I read the book, I had like like a kind of like different perspective. And then obviously with the script and I have like a gazillion lines.

[10:20] Mia Carragher: And I have to narrate. It was like impossible for me to ever play it in a similar way. I mean I guess there's always going to be similarities but I felt like confident and I think once we got into rehearsals with like Connor and Matthew it very much felt like something new so I could put my own spin on it and they were very open to suggestions and for me just trying like what I thought was right. Did you start with the text? Were you the sort of actress then that goes, right? If I can get it in my head I can then bring on the epicness of the physicality because this is not just like, you know, remember loads of lines and stand and say them into the direction. You are, I mean once the gun goes you never stop.

This is like physical 101. How did you start to sort of combine the two? Well, I actually learnt the whole script before we started rehearsal because I just thought I just can't even have that as an anxiety in my mind, I don't know my line. I was like there's too much going on and so I just, and I wasn't like completely off script but if they said that scene I'd be able to pick it up and know what they were talking about with all the lines especially with all the inner monologue stuff. So then once I knew all that I was actually like so thankful for myself like when we started rehearsals I was like thank god I did that I would have had a panic attack if they were being like run there and run there and run there but like on that count you've got to say this line and this line and I'd just be like oh my god so and then once the physicality was added it was still just like so hard it was still like the biggest challenge I've ever done but yeah I think it definitely helped being like very familiar with the script before I even started rehearsal.

[11:58] Mia Carragher: What was it then like which is very specific to this production? We talk about the physicality of it, we talk about the fact that there's this epic script that's new that's so exciting and as you joke like lots of lines for you to learn and then you add in the epicness of this and all of the amazing ways in which this set moves and transports what moves the audience at one point like completely just absolutely gag worthy and then of course there's the aerial stunts in it as well like you never ever stop. What was it like? Are you like, yeah bring it on? Because I feel like when you're like lines physicality and you want me to be up I'm out like it's sometimes I'd be like oh my god this is too much like I can't do it I can't do it and then I get it and then I'd be like oh like it's something I get mentioned about me like doing something else and I'd be like oh what was that?

I'd be like I was kind of up for it because I kind of like loved the challenge of it and like how hard it was and I remember like in rehearsal we'd obviously like set it in like in like a studio like in a space and no one we kind of had some idea like we've been showing the set design when they did like the presentation for us but you can't really like even show or explain until you literally walk into the theatre and just see how huge and the craziness of what goes on so I think it like completely transformed when we went into the space and then I think a lot of things started to make more sense when we were in the actual space.

[13:25] Mia Carragher: Were the moments then as well where you were probably in tech where it's maybe a little bit calmer you're in the costume and you have this set around you where you were watching other people as if they were in this world but almost like you weren't and you were like wait I'm actually in The Hunger Games? Yeah, yeah I'm yeah like literally in the middle of it and sometimes like I mean like the odd scene that I'm not on stage I'd like to sit and I'd watch it and I'd be like oh my god it's so cool like I couldn't believe it and I'm still yet to watch the show and I'd absolutely love to watch it maybe like towards the end to actually like see it and it'd probably like give me so much appreciation to realise because I think because I'm in it so much I don't realise how huge it is and everything that's going on around me.

It's like a proper epic and it's very rare actually that we get this scale of production like it's very rare you actually get to be fully submerged in it as well which is so unbelievably exciting as an audience member.

[14:23] Mia Carragher: What's it been like to sort of maybe out of the corner of your eye know something big is coming and to actually watch the audience's reaction to some of those epics? Yeah it's kind of funny because at the end when we're on the top of the corner cope yeah and then we have like the scene with the mutt and obviously I know what's coming I know they're all gonna like run in with like blood and like jump on the seat and banks and it's funny you'll just see people like sat there like really casually and like calm and then like some of the casts they'll like jump up on the seat and banks and people like scream and be like and scream the place down and because I'm just on the top of the corner cape I can like fully see everyone's reactions and sometimes they're quite comical and I've got to be like like I can't believe how much some people scream it's like a horror film.

[15:07] Mia Carragher: Do you think some people are actually surprised in the most joyful way actually just how true to what they think it's going to be is like in terms of the scale of it and the epicness because we've all seen stuff that doesn't quite live up to the hype this absolutely nails this is this is kind of like gag worthy scene by scene we're like there's no oh there is a way okay got you. Yeah it just like gets better and better like even in act one when and this is another thing when you see people's reactions to the chariot so because me and Ewan we were like quite high and we have to wait there for a couple of minutes before they can like lower us down to the chariot scene because we're looking up and we can just look down at all the audience they're just like listening to Cesar and then the minute we come down on the chariot it's people's faces it's just like a picture and like like screaming and like clapping sometimes that I'm like oh my god I feel like a pop star.

[16:02] William J Connolly: Well she is a pop star that's what's so great and actually what I think is so lovely is just like looking at some of the comments online and like how much people feel so protective over her and like I was looking at some of the things that people said about you people have so much love and care for you I don't know how much you dive into social media comments and I would encourage people to tread carefully but just people saying you know I need to come back soon for a third round I was locked in watching since the first night of previews that is our girl diva alert people I love this lady so much I cannot wait for my fourth visit I mean people the love that you get the epicness the fact that they're so vocal about it to know these are what I call real fans people that know this world probably better than the writers they know every single thing yeah they don't miss a trick they're onto everything but people to know this and to feel like this and to be so vocal about it and honest with you what does that level of love mean to you?

[17:03] Mia Carragher: God I don't I don't even know like sometimes I see it and I'm weirdly like relieved in a way like I get like relieved like oh okay like because I feel like in my head I'm like I don't know what I'm doing like I just did it and I did put my like heart into it and I tried my best and then when we get like the love from like them specific fans and I mean I message them all the time and when they come and I love to see them come and I know I'm just like super grateful for it because I think that's what's also made this experience amazing and what also gets you through when you know it's hard and you're struggling but then you know there's them people out there that get so much joy from the show that gives you like the boost to perform and give them what they deserve to watch.

[18:42] Mia Carragher: Has there been a particular conversation or reaction from a fan that you think that's probably one that when this project is very much in the past and you're a few years away from it that you'll be like I remember that that was one of the reasons why I loved that job so much? I think for me it's a lot of the time when it's like young young girls so when I've met like younger girls or even just like similar girls like my age like at stage door even when they like send me like the most loveliest messages and like they're like you're such an inspiration I'm like oh my god I can't believe I'm like an inspiration to someone because I have so many like inspirational people that I look up to and I'm like that's so crazy that people think that about me um yeah and I remember I just got like a really lovely message about a girl who is a dancer and she just said you've made me realize that this is something that is possible for me because I was a dancer first and she was said this is something that could possibly be in my future as well which it so could be like anything I mean if I was showing this show before I started rehearsal I would have said there's no way I can do that so I'm like anything is possible if you just put your mind to it and just get on with it and do it.

[19:56] Mia Carragher: Also there are posters of you in your hometown which is a long way away from that theatre like you are that person for them but you're also that person for yourself and that you've done it and you continue to do it on this epic scale and you are the original that she is your baby you get to own this and and I think what's so beautiful about doing long-running shows is you get to sit with that for such a period of time where you almost and I hope appreciate the work that you do every day and you know you said like I've never watched it I thought that's probably a good thing because you'd be like well I can't do that tonight because that's too big like you wouldn't even realize.

[20:27] Mia Carragher: I probably get exhausted watching it that's that's what a lot of people say to me when I come out of that stage so they're like are you exhausted and I'm like yeah but you know and I'm like yeah it probably is exhausting to watch it as well because everyone and what I can say about the cast and like everyone involved is everyone gives it 110% every single show and yeah everyone just gives it their all which is what makes it so amazing and like such a spectacle and so great to watch. It'll be a little bit of a mess of me not to mention another key part of this world which is the props there's a lot of props in the show there's a lot of physicality as we mentioned but also a lot of time when you have to engage with other things which famously in theatre props like to behave or not behave where where are we at the moment with your props are they behaving?

Now and again I like I can't even cope like I just there's a there's a knife trick and to be honest when it works I'm like thank god and other times I mean most of the time it doesn't work because it's like caught on my jacket or like this I'm gonna give it away but the strings like all twisted and I just think oh my god and I'm just like I look so stupid right now but I try to save it but with the bow and arrow and stuff touch wood.

[20:40] Mia Carragher: I feel like everybody has this dream when they're younger as well, like Robin Hood. You know the quick and then you go. And then actually when you get that plastic set that you get when you're a kid, it's so difficult. So the way that you make it look so easy. So odd, when I did archery training and because in my head, I had no idea they were going to do this crazy, cool magic trick to like, make it so believable. Because in the film, she looks at someone to shoot and she's like, so quick. And so when I was in archery training, I was like, it took me like a minute every time to get it on. And I was like, there's no way I'm gonna be able to do this. Practice has helped and also Chris Fisher, illusions has helped.

And it looks so real, like you should say, like alongside all the other amazing spectacle of this, the illusions are very, very special, which is probably interesting for you, because it's like an extra, it's like a skill really, something that you'll probably be able to keep with you, like the archery and the illusions forever. Like that's not something obviously you need to keep rehearsing it, but it won't go away because it's such a niche specific thing. And I imagine it's quite good for you to be able to learn a skill when you go to work, like, especially in the world of illusions, and then see, as we discussed earlier, like that the reaction of, oh, when it works, it's really working. Yeah, there's so many like little like tips and tricks that I've like picked up and I've learned so much on this job.

And like so many more skills that I think when I leave this job, if anything comes up, I'll be like, oh my god, yeah, I know how to do that. Like I did it all at the home games, like I already know. When you're a part of the show, and obviously you're listening to the dialogue of some of your colleagues, and you're thinking about, oh, this is the journey that I know she's about to go on. Do you ever think about how you might react to some of the situations that she's put, like, do you think like, oh, I'd be good in that district, this would be a good skill for me to have, this is how I would survive, like this is how I would approach it? Or are you so locked in that you're like, I just have to focus on what she's doing or else I'll probably miss a line?

I think I do. A lot of the time I'm like, well, how would I react to it? And then because I find it, like, I find it nice to find like similarities to the character to just help and like make it like in my body. So a lot of the time I do think, well, how would I react to that? And then I look at how Katniss is meant to react to it and either you can blend the two or, I mean, it's amazing if it's the same thing. So I think, yeah, it's hard to just always be, I don't know how to explain, but because you do it like every single night, I'm not like in my head every single night being like, I'm Katniss. Like there'll be moments where I'm like thinking about something random and then you've got to be like, and then like lock in and carry on.

And there's sometimes scary moments when you catch yourself, like staring into space and you're like, quick, quick. Also, you know, as well, people that have come to that space that are true fans and aren't entering into this world for the first time, which one is very exciting for you to be able to take people on a journey for the first time, but you know that they love her and they're on your side and that every decision that she makes is something that they will lean into. And I feel like that's nice to know that the people are like, I want to go with Mia on this journey tonight. And actually that moment may be, which is wild, someone, particularly young persons, first ever live theatre experience.

And that in itself is, I imagine, I imagine it's a complete honour. Yeah, I think there's been so many people that have came to watch this show. And it's been like the first ever like theatre experience, which is like so amazing, because I think it's brought a lot of new people to the theatre. And because they're such big fans of the books and the film and a lot of young people as well. And I love when we have young people in and when we have like groups of schools, because that's always like the best audience. Like the other day, me and Ewan, like the romantic scene, we just like leaned our heads against each other and they were all screaming the place down. And we were like, I was like, imagine in a minute when we when we kiss, like they're gonna die.

And then obviously when we did, I don't know, we were both like, oh my god, because it was literally like erupting in there. And I was like, oh my god, this is crazy. But yeah, it was really funny. And I love yeah, when like young people come in to watch. I was doing a conversation the other day for my day job about Kids Week, and we were talking about the best reactions of kids. And someone said in the show that were nameless, like they were doing quite a lot of dialogue. And a very young kid just went boring. They're so honest, though. They're so honest. But like, that's what you need. You should just get like groups of kids in for previews. And then they'll tell you no, actually, that's terrible.

I feel like that would be funny for my side. I don't know how me in the previous period of the show would have felt if a kid was there. I did want to ask you about Connor, massive, massive fan of Connor. He's the best at what he does. What's it like to get to have like a first hand experience of someone of that level of that skill set to be able to bring this world to life? What was it like getting to work with him? It was so amazing. And he's genuinely like the loveliest person, like felt so comfortable, so at ease. Like in rehearsal, just felt like really normal. And it was, it kind of felt like we were doing like a smallish play. It wasn't ever drilled into me, you know, this is a huge thing.

Like, oh, but it was like, just took like every scene as it was. And yeah, he was very, also like very open to our personal thoughts and suggestions. And even like, there'd be moments when maybe we get the giggles and he'd be like, I love it, keep it. Or he'd very much love like our own, like us as people and want to really put them into the character as well, which I thought was really cool. Were there suggestions and bits that you did with him and made with him that he did go with that are still in the show now that you think this will be here forever, long after I'm not here? It was a lot of like stuff that was more natural for me to say and how I thought it would sound better in like a scene or like coming out of my mouth, which is mad because now it's the script and that's what I thought was better for me.

But now somebody else is going to have to say the lines that I was like, oh no, that's easier for me. But I prefer that, which is crazy. How was it then? Because I'm right in saying you have met Suzanne Collins. So the nerves going into this project, pretty huge. But to actually get to meet the Suzanne Collins, what was that moment like? Because she's like a hero to a lot of people. Insane. She watched like two days of tech and we didn't really get to speak to her that much. She just popped her head in and out. And to be honest, there was that much going on that we said hi and everything like that. And then once we'd been open for a couple of months, she came back to watch the show. I just got back off a holiday and I was like, I thought it was going to be six.

I thought I'd forgotten the whole show anyway. And then I did one night and then it was the night after that she came and I was so nervous. I was in the scene with Sophia, who plays Prim. I remember I have to touch her face and I was literally like, my hand was shaking so much. I was like, my God, I need to calm down. And then when I met her afterwards and she was with her family and she just kept giving me a hug and I was like, oh my God, thank you. And even her kids were so, they thought it was amazing. And they were like, thank you so much for what you've done with Katniss. And I was like, oh my God, no, thank you. It's wild, but it's such a special space. It's a piece of live theatre. It's an epic, but it's also such an experience for a piece of theatre.

And it's so interesting and so exciting to be able to come there a couple of times I've been now and just get completely lost in that world and remind myself, the first time I read those books, the first time I watched those films and then to be able to see it live, it's truly one of the epics that people will talk about in years to come. And it's been such a pleasure getting the chance to talk to you and to get to celebrate this performance and thank God, be able to see you do it on those couple of occasions. So thank you so much for your time. And I just have one final question for you, if that is okay. I obviously wasn't aware that that poster had happened and that poster was back in Liverpool near where you grew up.

But if you think back to like you probably going through that station as a young girl growing up, and then to have that moment, to have that experience, to have had the epic ride that has been being in the Hunger Games and to be sat in this dressing room, obviously with not a huge amount of time left. So trying to cherish, I imagine, every single moment. What do you think the Mia back then, who was at that station, who now has a poster in said station, what do you think the Mia would think of the lady that's been sat with me for the last half an hour? Could she ever believe that all this would come to you? I don't know, like I think, like it was always my dream and like my, why I just kept doing and training and going to every audition possible because that was like my dream.

But also I don't know if my younger self would have thought it would have been my like first like professional like theatre debut or first huge thing would have been this huge. So maybe my younger self would have been a bit scared but probably thought it was so cool that I had a poster in Lime Street. And that's why I keep getting selfies with it because I can't believe it. Well it's yours and you've done it and you continue to do it and I know that as I say there's not that many performances left for you so please in those moments obviously concentrate but take it all in, be present in that moment because it's such a special thing and it's such a special thing for London to have and I'm so grateful that they started here and that we get to have this baby with us.

I know. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your time and congratulations on this journey. It's incredibly special and I feel really lucky to get the chance to talk to you today so thank you so much. Thank you so much, I appreciate it.

[30:40] William J Connolly: You've been listening to Eleven, the official theatre podcast.

[30:44] William J Connolly: Find out more about Eleven at elevenpodcast.com or via the Broadway Podcast Network.