Happiness is only a heartbeat away with HERE & NOW, the hilarious and heart- warming new musical based on the songs of the multi-million-selling pop phenomenon, Steps.
The show is currently in rehearsals, and we got the chance to chat with Rosie who plays Neeta before the show embarks on its first ever UK tour.
Q1.Rosie,congratulationsonlandingtheroleofNeetainHere&Now!Canyoutell us a little about yourself and how you first got into performing?
Thank you so much! I’ve always adored performing and I genuinely can’t remember a time where I wasn’t obsessed with singing. I went to quite a few extra-curricular theatre schools as a child but then sort of fell out of musical theatre in secondary school, as I didn’t believe I’d be able to make a career for myself, up against the wildly talented performers I knew. In the last few years, I’ve realised how much of myself I’ve rediscovered getting back into MT and it’s been so gratifying to know how delighted 7 year old Rosie would be if she could see me now.
Q2. Here & Now is packed with iconic hits from Steps – were you a fan of the band growing up? Do you have a favourite Steps song in the show?
I was born in the 2000s, so I’ve never known a time without Steps! I have very fond memories of dancing to 5,6,7,8 at school discos and, when I booked this job, I started listening back to the songs and realised quite how many of them felt comfortingly nostalgic. One song I wasn’t as familiar with was Better the Devil you Know, but as soon as I heard it, I was addicted! I’m not in that number in the show but best believe I’ll be having a party in the wings!
Q3. What can audiences expect from Here & Now? Without giving too much away, how would you describe the story and your character, Neeta?
This show is love and fun personified! I challenge anyone not to fall wholeheartedly in love with these characters, and that’s before mentioning how insanely talented this cast is! If I had to describe Neeta in one word, she’s such a lovergirl! She works at Better Best Bargains to fund her dreams of going to art college in London, but she’s stayed for the tight-knit group of friends she’s made there. She has a massive crush on Ben, another staff member at the store, but believes that he’s way too good for her. Honestly, she’s just such an adorable character and I’m so grateful that I get to take her around the country this year.
Q4. The show is set to go on tour across the UK – is there a particular venue or city you’re most excited to perform in?
Being from Essex and having the show set in Southend, I’m obviously very excited to take this show to Southend! There are also a few venues I haven’t toured to before, like York and Brighton, so I’m super excited to go there for the first time on tour.
Q5.What’sbeenyourfavouriterehearsalroommomentsofar,orsomethingthat’s made you laugh out loud during the process?
I’m honestly having the most amazing time in rehearsals! It’s been such a privilege to get to build on the work of the initial Birmingham production with so many of the original cast, who have been unbelievably kind in every way. One moment I won’t forget is from a couple of days ago; I’d just finished doing some scene work in one room and we popped into the studio across the hall, where the ensemble had just finished learning the Megamix. They did a full run of it before going on tea break and I don’t think I’ll ever have the words to explain how in awe I am of their energy and talent. I genuinely felt like I’d come out of a personal Steps concert! I was so glad I got to see it from an audience perspective, as it really hit me in that moment how lucky I am to be a part of this wonderful show!
Q6.YoutrainedatTheUrdangAcademy,whichhasproducedsomanyincredible performers. What’s one standout memory or lesson from your time there that’s really stuck with you?
I adored my time at Urdang and, even though I lived and breathed that place for three years, I still in many ways can’t believe I got to train there! In terms of something that stuck with me, Nathanael Campbell, who happened to be our acting teacher at the time (we were so lucky!) really shaped my time at Urdang. He had a real respect for work ethic, and I really responded to his way of working. I’ll always remember a conversation we had about being pigeonholed as a performer, whether that’s because of your appearance, or your background, or where you trained. He really lit the fire in me to prove to myself that, regardless of what some people had boxed me in as, I was capable of so much more if I worked hard and smart. He was a big inspiration to me at Urdang and being directed by him for our second year IP was definitely a highlight.
Q7. The performing arts industry can be a tough one – what advice would you give to aspiring performers who want to follow in your footsteps?
It still feels kind of crazy that I can even answer this question, considering I was that aspiring performer really not that long ago! It’s cliché, but I definitely came into my own when I leant into the things that made me ‘me’, and those were often the things that people loved to talk to me about. At drama school, you have the luxury of being surrounded by the best, but sometimes that can make you think what they have to offer is somehow ‘better’ or more valuable. The best piece of advice I could give is let your peers inspire you to diversify and become more versatile, without letting go of why you started in the first place.
Q8. If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice before stepping into this industry, what would it be?
I suppose it would be that you don’t need to arrive as a ‘perfect’ finished product, you simply need to show up and trust the work. I think a lot of us as performers have a perfectionist streak as, at the end of the day, we all just want to deliver our best. Trusting the process is something I’m learning to be much better at, but my closest friends certainly have to remind me of it from time to time (and I’m eternally grateful to them for it)!
Q9. Outside of Here & Now, are there any dream roles or shows you’d love to do in the future?
Honestly, I have so many! I could go on forever, but to narrow it down, Hamilton is such a dream show for me and, in an ideal world, I’d love to play all three sisters one day. Also, a HUGE dream of mine is to be in a Sondheim show. Sondheim was one of the things that got me back into musical theatre, so I’d love to perform it professionally.
Q10. Finally – if you were in a Steps tribute group, which member would you be and why?
Ooo, I think I’d like to be Faye, she’s a true musical theatre pro and a little birdie told me Neeta is her favourite character, so I’d like to see her Neeta and I’d give it my best Faye!
