The Show People Podcast Live: Kerry Ellis (Part One)

Join host Andrew Keates for The Show People Podcast, recorded live from The Two Brewers in Clapham. This is part one of an-depth conversation with West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis. Widely recognised as one of the great leading ladies of British musical theatre, Kerry Ellis has played some of the most iconic roles in the West End, on Broadway and beyond. Best known for becoming the first British Elphaba in Wicked, Kerry’s extraordinary career includes originating Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You, playing Fantine in Les Misérables, Ellen in Miss Saigon, Nancy in Oliver!, Grizabella in Cats, and appearing in My Fair Lady, Anything Goes, Chess, The War of the Worlds and many more. In this conversation, Kerry discusses her journey from training at Laine Theatre Arts to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in musical theatre, her life-changing collaboration with Queen legend Brian May, the demands of leading major West End and Broadway shows, and what it takes to sustain a career at the very top of the industry, as well as a touching conversation between Andrew and Kerry about their shared ADHD diagnosis. Episode Highlights Include: • How Kerry’s childhood and training shaped the performer she became • Her early days at Laine Theatre Arts and breaking into the West End • Being discovered by Brian May while understudying Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at the National Theatre. • Her early experiences of being thrown on-stage with little to no rehearsal. • Originating Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You • Playing Fantine in Les Misérables and other major musical theatre roles • Playing Grizabella in Cats and the pressure of singing Memory night after night. • Her long-running creative partnership with Brian May • The discipline required to lead major shows • How ADHD affects both the lives of Andrew Keates and Kerry Ellis. • And many stories from both Andrew and Kerry about life, theatre, resilience and working in the performing arts. Like and Subscribe Make sure you like and subscribe to be notified the moment our next episode is released! Support Us If you enjoy the podcast, please consider making a donation to help us nurture LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and proudly tell Queer stories, by visiting www.queertheatre.co.uk/support-us Sponsors & Supporters: Theataccounts: The entertainment industry’s trusted accountants, looking after thousands of clients across theatre and performance. Connect at www.theataccounts.co.uk or Instagram: @theataccounts. Videography by Ned Wakeley of The Showreel Company theshowreelcompany.com | Instagram: @theshowreelcompany_ Photography by Sean Lindsell @skl.photog on Instagram Audio and Stage Management by Liam Chaplin @djliamchaplin on Instagram Special Thanks Adam Deamer, Oliver Blatherwick, Rhys Godfrey and the staff of The Two Brewers. Queer Theatre This podcast is proudly produced by Queer Theatre, committed to LGBTQ+ storytelling and nurturing Queer talent. Discover more about their acting classes, Queer Play Reading Club, showcases, and events. Connect at www.queertheatre.co.uk, Instagram: @QueerTheatreUK, TikTok: @QueerTheatreUK, Threads: @QueerTheatreUK. Follow The Show People Podcast Instagram: @theshowpeoplepodcast, X: @ShowPeopleUK www.queertheatre.co.uk Follow Andrew Keates Instagram: @MrAndrewKeates, TikTok: @andrewkeates, X: @andrewkeates www.andrewkeates.co.uk Follow Kerry Ellis Instagram: @kerryellis79 www.kerryellis.com Thank you for your support. Until next time, love always, Ax