THROWBACK THURSDAY: Harriet Thorpe

This week on Throwback Thursday Sarah Day speaks to Harriet Thorpe currently playing Eleanor in Sleepless the musical in London.

Harriet, Cory English and Tania Mathurin backstage at Sleepless 1) What was your first ever show that you did as a kid, and what was it that got you into the theatre world?

The Nativity Play at school! I was one of the angels and I was so excited that I got to wear lipstick and a tinsel halo...all I did was point them out to my mother in the audience! As for getting into theatre, my father was an actor and my mother was a novelist and screenwriter, so it was around me from birth and in my DNA!

2) What is the main difference for you working in theatre or on screen? Do you have a preference?

I love my job, and I don’t mind whether I’m doing film, television or theatre. That said, there’s something magical and unique about performing before a live audience.

Harriet Thorpe - Absolutely Fabulous 3) What is your process each night when you get into character for a show?

Makeup! As you sit down and start putting on the makeup, the wig and eventually the costume, the character begins to emerge in front of you in the mirror. By the time you reach the stage you’re good to go.

4) Tell us about one of your best/funniest memories on stage?

My first job in repertory theatre was in a new musical about cowboys at the Nuffield Theatre Southampton, which, of course, featured a live horse. We always worried he might give us a special delivery onstage, and one night he did, right in the middle of the scene! We laughed and so did the audience: it was a magical moment of sharing in the madness!

5) How are you keeping creative in lockdown? I’m the co-host of a new online chat show called WonderBirds on which goes out four-time a week on YouTube and Facebook, alongside Sherrie Hewson, Debbie Arnold and Dee Anderson plus lots of celebrity guests; I’ve done three comedy pilots; quite a few virtual charity performances including Acting For Others (of which I’m an Ambassador); and I’m very lucky to be opening in previews of Sleepless, the musical adaptation of Sleepless in Seattle, at the Troubadour Theatre this week. Hopefully, we’ll be a template for other theatres to follow as we all try to come back after this hiatus. 6) What three things can we always find in your dressing room? I.e Lucky charms...things that help you on stage...blue m&ms..

A picture of my children (now adults of course); and I always try to make house a little, with fairy lights, diffusers, coffee etc; and I always have champagne on standby to welcome guests after a show!

7) What is your favourite Cast Album to listen to right now?

Come From Away!

8) If your life were a musical what would it be called, and why?

California Dreamin’: it would be a jukebox musical of ‘60s pop hits!