With the European premiere of SCISSORHANDZ currently open at Southwark Playhouse Elephant until 29th March, Tricia Adele-Turner is playing Joyce alongside Jordan Kai Burnett, who is reprising their role of Scissorhands, with the show created and directed by Bradley Bredeweg and co-produced by Lance Bass and Michelle Visage. Tricia was in the original cast of the world premiere production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End as cover Virginia Creel, and she played Captain Speedy in Around the World in 80 Days at both Theatre by the Lake and Hull Truck Theatre. Amongst Tricia’s other stage projects, she was understudy Heidi Hansen and Cynthia Murphy in the original West End cast of Dear Evan Hansen, Alternate Dusty Springfield in the UK premiere tour of Dusty in 2018, played Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde in the West End, and played Teacher / Alternate Killer Queen in the West End production of We Will Rock You. As well as her stage career, Tricia has screen experience, having guest roles in Phoenix Rise and Doctors, both for the BBC. We spoke to Tricia about playing Joyce in SCISSORHANDZ at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, being in the original cast of Stranger Things: The First Shadow and her time as Alternate Dusty Springfield in Dusty.
How are you finding your time performing in SCISSORHANDZ at Southwark Playhouse Elephant and how is the run going so far?
It’s so wonderful to be part of such a joyous show, I’m having the best time.
Can you tell us about SCISSORHANDZ and how would you describe your character Joyce?
SCISSORHANDZ very much follows the story of the film. We see Peg, a local Avon lady meet Scissorhands and bring them home with her and try to integrate them into suburban life. Joyce is one of Peg’s neighbours and is initially enamoured by this new, unusual creature, trying her best to seduce them, when her advances are rejected, and embittered, she leads the hunt for Scissorhands, with devastating results. My favourite moments in the show are when Joyce is with her fellow neighbours Helen and Esmeralda, which is a lot of fun.
Was there anything that drew you to the role of Joyce and what is she like to play?
She was what I most remember about the film, seductive, fiery, and ultimately a bully when things don’t go her way. It seems very reflective of today’s cancel culture, she is so supportive of Scissorhands at first but flips and uses her power over the neighbourhood to push Scissorhands out.
What is it like working alongside the rest of the cast, which includes Jordan Kai Burnett reprising their role of Scissorhands, and how is it being directed by the show’s creator Bradley Bredeweg?
From my first audition, I just knew I wanted to work with Bradley. Like most of the great directors, he lets you work out your interpretation, and gently steers you with insights and suggestions to get the best out of your performance. It was truly a joy. Jordan equally embraced all of the new choices from the British additions to the cast, they’re a very present actor, so you can continuously adapt and try new things, and they will always respond to what you give them. I love their Scissorhands – innocent, warm and always playful.
How is it being part of the European premiere and how has it been seeing the audience response to the musical?
It’s so exciting, to bring this show that has had such a successful life in LA to a new audience. It can be daunting bringing something so all-American to a British audience, but they are on board from the start, laughing and singing along.
Why would you recommend booking tickets to see SCISSORHANDZ at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, which is booking until 29th March?
With grey skies outside, come to the theatre, and be transported to sunny Americana, we will make you laugh, sing your heart out, bop away in your seats to the incredible list of absolute bangers, and shed a tear at some heart-wrenching songs too!
What are you looking forward to most for continuing your run as Joyce in SCISSORHANDZ?
I love the audience interaction, it’s hilarious to see the responses to Joyce’s flirtations throughout the show. I always love a comic role, and this one is the most outrageous I’ve played to date!
You were in the original cast of the World premiere production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End, what was the show like to work on and how was it covering the role of Virginia Creel?
It was so interesting to be part of the creation of such an innovative piece, I was so fascinated by the workings of the illusions and it’s such a spectacle to behold. Virginia was a great role, so reflective of the struggles of housewives at that time, with the added chaos of her son’s destructive powers.
Can you tell us about your time playing Captain Speedy in Around the World in 80 Days at Theatre by the Lake and Hull Truck Theatre?
It was a lot of fun, I really loved it, and playing a crotchety old sea captain, complete with a beard was great.
What are some of your favourite memories from understudying Heidi Hansen and Cynthia Murphy in the original West End cast of Dear Evan Hansen?
My favourite moment was performing at the Oliviers, we sang You Will Be Found, and singing such a beautifully written song at the Royal Albert Hall was such a highlight.
How did you find the experience taking on the role of Alternate Dusty in the UK premiere tour of Dusty in 2018?
I learned so much about Dusty Springfield during the show, she really was an incredible woman, so ahead of her time, and the show told her story warts and all. I loved it and really hope there is a life for it in the future.
What did you enjoy most about performing in Legally Blonde as Vivienne Kensington and We Will Rock You as Teacher / Alternate Killer Queen, both in the West End?
I love playing a baddie! Vivienne has her redemption arc, which was fulfilling to play, and I think it’s one of the best-written musicals I’ve ever seen. We Will Rock You was all about the songs for me, I can’t believe one band wrote such a catalogue of extraordinary music!
Can you tell us about some of the other shows you’ve been part of over your career so far, which have included Christmas in Exeter Street, The 39 Steps, Benidorm Live, Mrs Henderson Presents in Toronto, Jackie the Musical and Blood Brothers?
Blood Brothers was a show I watched at 14 years old, and I was captivated by it. I couldn’t believe my luck when I got to do it, and it still holds a special place in my heart. One of the great things about working in this industry is the travel, you see some amazing places and Toronto was a highlight, we were a very close cast which made it all the better. I loved The 39 Steps and Max Hutchinson, who played Richard Hannay, also directed Christmas in Exeter Street, which was great to work with a good friend again.
You have also filmed guest roles in the TV shows Phoenix Rise and Doctors, how different do you find these to performing on stage?
It is just so compact, you go in, film your scenes and you’re done so quickly! I enjoyed going back to my Brummie roots for both these roles, and it’s always a pleasure to visit Birmingham.
How did you originally get into acting and was it something you always wanted to do?
I worked at a lovely little theatre in Torquay throughout my teens, performing seasonal shows. It taught me so much, watching the more experienced performers, I caught the bug and never looked back.
What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?
I love Shakespeare comedies, I think they are so clever, but really it’s a mix. I most recently watched Oliver! and Kyoto and loved both. I’m also a big film fan, anything action or adventure and when I’m at home, it’s usually an Agatha Christie novel as she’s my favourite author.
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