On Friday 1st December, Lizzie Emery opened in Beauty and the Beast at Horsham’s The Capitol Theatre playing Belle alongside a cast including Chris Jenkins as The Beast/Prince and John Partridge as Captain Gastoff, and she’ll be performing the role until the pantomime closes 31st December. Recently, Lizzie has finished her run as Swing in the Heathers the Musical UK & Ireland Tour, also understudying the lead roles of Veronica Sawyer and the three Heathers, where she is the only actor to have performed as all four characters. Previously, Lizzie played Ivy in Bare: A Pop Opera at The Vaults, and she made her professional stage debut in 2018, playing Mimi in RENT. We caught up with Lizzie about being in the cast of Beauty and the Beast at The Capitol Theatre in Horsham, playing Belle in the pantomime and her time touring in Heathers the Musical.

How does it feel to be starring as Belle in Beauty and the Beast at The Capitol in Horsham this Christmas and what will you bring to the role?

It feels fantastic! Belle was always my favourite princess as a kid – I’ve been a huge bookworm since I was tiny so she always resonated with me. I think it’s so important for children to experience this story and the message of ‘it’s what’s on the inside that counts’ and I love how this panto conveys that message within the silliness and the magic.

How has it been rehearsing for a pantomime and preparing for opening night?

A whirlwind but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Panto always has a super short rehearsal process – this is my third one, and although it’s a lot of hard work putting a whole show together in two weeks, it’s always so much fun and really gets you in the Christmas spirit.

What was it like meeting the rest of the cast for the first time?

This whole company are honestly a bunch of diamonds. From day one everyone has been so friendly and good humoured and we’ve quickly become a panto family. It’s going to be a pleasure sharing the stage with them all for the next month!

How do you think you’ll find the experience interacting with a pantomime audience?

Panto is solely dependent on audience. When else can you go to the theatre and talk back to the actors on stage?! Having people watching really breathes life into the show and no two performances are ever the same. I can’t wait to see what Horsham audiences have in store for us!

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see Beauty and the Beast at The Capitol?

It’s truly going to be a spectacle in every way. From the choreography to the lighting to John Partridge’s one liners it really is something not to miss. It’s hilarious, slick, full of energy and moving.

You have recently finished touring with Heathers the Musical, what did you enjoy most about performing with the production?

I really loved my time on tour. Seeing a different city every week was amazing and meeting Heathers fans from all over the country was such a privilege, can’t quite believe I got to call it my job! I was the cast swing which means that you cover lots of different parts in the show so if someone is sick or away you go on and do that part. I was pretty much doing something different every time I went on and I really enjoyed the thrill of that.

What was it like understudying Veronica Sawyer and the three Heathers?

Very challenging but very rewarding! I’m the only person to have ever performed as all four and I will be proud of that for the rest of my life. They are four iconic characters and I’m so lucky to have had the chance to give my own take on all of them.

How was your time playing Ivy in Bare: A Pop Opera at The Vaults?

I was lucky enough to have also worked with Julie (our director) and Stuart (our choreographer) on Bare and they really made the experience for me. It was a really poignant show with tricky topics that were handled so delicately and Ivy was always a bucket list part for me.

In 2018, you made your professional debut in RENT as Mimi, what are some of your favourite memories from the run?

RENT definitely has a special place in my heart. Our version was immersive meaning we were in amongst the audience and the show moved around throughout a warehouse. It was gritty and touched a lot of people (literally and metaphorically!) and has such a beautiful message and it’s my biggest dream to return to it one day and play Maureen.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

I’ve always been a drama queen! I started dancing when I was 10 and completely fell in love with performing. My parents were extremely supportive and encouraged me to follow my dream despite how tough it was so I owe a lot to them. Getting to tell different stories through the eyes of different characters is really special and nothing has ever come close for me.

Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?

I genuinely love all types of theatre. Seeing new writing is a big passion of mine so I always make an effort to watch as much different stuff as I can. I recently saw The Little Big Things at Soho Place and it was devastatingly beautiful – would highly recommend! I wasn’t kidding when I said me and Belle are very similar – I always have a book on the go and I also enjoy getting out and about in nature.

What are you hoping 2024 brings for you?

You can never predict what’s around the corner as an actor so I strive to enjoy myself as much as I can outside of work. Hopefully some new opportunities to be creative but I’m also looking forward to spending time with friends and family after being away on tour all year!

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