In 2024, Mervin Noronha began his run in the original West End cast of Mean Girls as Ensemble and cover Kevin G, for which Mervin worked with writer Tina Fey and director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw, with the musical closing 8th June this year. Mervin originated the role of Amit in the UK premiere of Bhangra Nation at Birmingham Rep last year, and his previous stage roles include being On-Stage Swing and Assistant Dance Captain in The Wizard of Oz at Leicester Curve, being in the cast of Antigone at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, having his West End debut in Wonderville at Palace Theatre, and he played Aladdin at Blackpool Grand Theatre in their pantomime. On screen, Mervin played a Boyband Member in the Amazon Prime feature film Greatest Days, performing the Take That music, and he attended the film’s premiere at Leicester Square, and he was in the cast of the romantic comedy film What’s Love Got To Do With It?, which starred Lily James and Shazad Latif. We spoke to Mervin about being in the cast of Mean Girls for their original West End run, originating the role of Amit in the UK premiere of Bhangra Nation and working on feature film Greatest Days.

Was there anything that drew you to Mean Girls and how was it booking your role in the original West End cast?

Definitely, being a part of an original West End cast was definitely a bucket list. Mean Girls itself is also iconic in many ways. When I booked Mean Girls, I was so happy! One of the most exciting things about it was working with new and great creatives.

How did you find the experience being an Ensemble member in a major West End musical transfer and what was it like rehearsing for the production with the creative team, which included writer Tina Fey and director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw?

The experience was amazing, especially because the cast and crew were such good vibes that tripled the experience. Rehearing the show was actually my favourite part of the whole Mean Girls experience, learning the show and then adapting and making the changes was real fun and everything felt so fresh. The whole creative team were so kind and cool and also really clever, hence why they’re where they are in life.

How was it covering the role of Kevin G and what was it like getting into character?

Kevin G was so fun to cover as you can have so much fun with him, and he is also ICONIC. It was a nice change from my regular track also, and getting into character felt quite authentic to myself, which was sweet and helped me connect with him.

The musical closed at the Savoy Theatre on 8th June, what did you enjoy most about performing in the show throughout the run and how did you feel on the final day?

The best parts of the show for me personally were getting to perform and also have fun on stage with my friends. It helped that Mean Girls was set at school, which meant you could really lean into having fun and ‘messing around’. That carried on stage and off stage, especially for Mario Kart in the dressing rooms.

It was bittersweet on the last day because I felt content and felt like I had completed my time with Mean Girls, but was definitely going to miss the people.

In the UK premiere of Bhangra Nation at the Birmingham Rep last year, you originated the role of Amit, can you tell us about the show and what was the production like to be part of?

Bhangra Nation hit home. Doing a show that really resonates and connects with yourself is probably the best feeling you could ever have. The show had fantastic music and, also, the choreography was fantastic, and paired with the music it was a real treat.

What was Amit like to play and how was it telling the story of Bhangra Nation?

Amit was really fulfilling to play, he was a great supporting role that had his own songs and was captain of a bhangra dance team, so to be able to portray a South Asian role showcasing all those skills was really special. Telling the story of Bhangra Nation was also really special because South Asian shows are so rare, so to be able to tell stories that resonate with myself is incredible.

How was your time as On-Stage Swing and Assistant Dance Captain in The Wizard of Oz at Leicester Curve?

My time at the Curve for The Wizard of Oz was really wholesome, Leicester is my hometown so working at the Curve is a bit of a full-circle moment, and over Christmas meant I was home for Christmas the whole time. Swinging was new for me on this contract, but having dance captain experiences before really helped me out for it.

What was it like performing at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in Antigone, and how was it understudying Polyneices and Eteocles?

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is possibly one of the most beautiful venues to perform at, so that really was something I am very grateful for. Doing a Greek play in an amphitheatre also is pretty special. Understudying Polyneices and Eteocles was challenging in a really good way. As they are brothers and in scenes together, learning the material was tricky in that scene, but I really enjoyed getting into those characters which so much to uncover.

In 2021, you made your West End debut in Wonderville at the Palace Theatre, can you tell us about this?

I will never forget it. It was also still during the COVID era, so social distanced seating was so interesting. This also meant I finished uni earlier to go do a West End show, how lucky and cool! I learnt so much and even got bumped up to doing choreography work on it!

How was it starring as Aladdin in Blackpool Grand Theatre’s pantomime of Aladdin and how different do you find pantomimes to full musicals?

Aladdin is a childhood favourite Disney film of mine so being able to be Aladdin was really sweet. They are very different to full musicals but still really fun to do!

What are some of your favourite memories from working on the Amazon Prime feature film Greatest Days as a Boyband Member?

There are so many. One of them definitely has to be the fountain scene, the Greatest Day song. In the middle of a beautiful square in Athens, with full body paint, sun shining and a beautiful view, fountain water starts to spray and we’re singing along to Greatest Day, wow.

How was it on set of the film and performing Take That’s music for the film/soundtrack?

Probably still the best experience I have had in my career. Film and TV currently is my favourite form of work, and to be able to perform Take That music for it in different live locations was almost like touring as Take That.

What was it like attending the world premiere at Leicester Square and how did you feel watching Greatest Days for the first time?

Possibly the best day of my life. A movie premiere at Leicester Square is iconic, so when it involves you, and Take That also are performing, and you’re there, words really can’t describe it. Also, having my parents there was really special for me. Being able to give back to them something like that was so rewarding.

We understand you have also worked on the romantic comedy film What’s Love Got To Do With It? starring Lily James and Shazad Latif, how was it being involved with the film?

That was great because I got to shoot that prior to Greatest Days, so it was like the best thing to sort of prepare me for Greatest Days.

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

I’m pretty sure my parents, they never did any performing in their life, however, when I started, really late also at 16, they got to see a showcase and were so surprised and fell in love with it too.

What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?

Nostalgic purposes, SpongeBob as a TV program. I am quite a light-hearted television-watcher in general, to be honest, I like cartoons and anime but also love Black Mirror. I do like getting into UK TV shows like Peaky Blinders, Top Boy and Dept. Q because it’s always good to stay up to date.

How do you like to spend your time away from your career?

I am a pretty big gamer. Whether it is online gaming with friends for socials or solo gaming on different RPG games, even phone games. I game a lot, hahaha.

Do you have any projects coming up that you can share, and what are you hoping the rest of the year brings for you?

It could be a little quiet from myself. After doing a year contract, and also previous jobs I have done prior (I am very grateful to have quite a vast career so far), and after doing different things, I am really going to get picky with what I want to do, which I am lucky to be in a position of.

I am hoping to actually explore getting into some writing as I have a few fun passion projects I really want to get on its feet to see what it could be like delving into the creative side. I have done some directing and choreography work, which I really enjoyed.

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