With the regional premiere stage adaptation of Mel Brooksâ 1974 film Young Frankenstein (starring Gene Wilder) currently open at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, Jessica Martin plays Frau BlĂŒcher in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL, which is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston. Jessica is performing in the musical in Manchester until Sunday 30th November, and works with a cast including Ore Oduba as Dr Frederick Frankenstein, Pete Gallagher as The Monster, Julie Yammanee as Inga and Rhiannon Chesterman as Elizabeth Benning, and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL will have a limited Christmas run from Wednesday 3rd December until Saturday 3rd January at Liverpool Playhouse (cast to be announced). In June, Jessica played Lilly Peppers in the NoĂ«l Coward play Red Peppers and Deena Ames in the world premiere of Aged in Wood, which is written by Cian Griffin, with the plays running at Theatre at the Tabard, and last year, Jessica worked alongside Cassidy Janson and Julie Yammanee (Inga in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL) in Jerryâs Girls at Menier Chocolate Factory, celebrating the life and legacy of legendary Broadway composer Jerry Herman. During her time as a theatre actor so far, Jessica has played Emily Hobbs in ELF the Musical in Plymouth, the West End, Dublin and at the Lowry Theatre, and in 2016, she was in the cast of the UK premiere of BIG the Musical as Mrs Baskin. Early in her career, Jessica made her West End debut as Sally Smith in Me and My Girl (working with Gary Wilmot) and had her tour debut as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and her extensive stage projects include playing Alternate Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard at Comedy Theatre (now Harold Pinter Theatre) in Londonâs West End, and being in the casts of Menopause the Musical 2, Sweeney Todd and Spamalot. Also appearing in pantomimes, Jessicaâs most recent two have been at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, with last yearâs being Aladdin, in which she played Spirit of the Ring. As a screen actor, Jessica played Mags in Doctor Who alongside the seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy (1988), and she still attends events and conventions around the world as an actor and comic creator, as she also writes comics and creates fan art, and she recently was inducted into the London Film & Comic Con Hall of Fame for services to Film, TV and Comics. Alongside her career as an actor, Jessica is an impressionist and has appeared on shows including Spitting Image and Copycats, and as a writer, she is currently writing her second novel. We found out from Jessica about being in the regional premiere of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL as Frau BlĂŒcher, performing as Emily Hobbs over the years in ELF the Musical, her time in BIG the Musical and Sunset Boulevard and her screen projects including Doctor Who and Spitting Image.
How was it rehearsing for your role of Frau BlĂŒcher in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL at Hope Mill Theatre and what is the character like to play?
It was a joy rehearsing for the role of Frau BlĂŒcher. She is a fun character with a distinctive accent and her dark, serious demeanour is a great foil to the zaniness of the other characters.
How familiar were you with Mel Brooksâ 1974 film starring Gene Wilder before booking the musical and what was it like reading the script for the first time?
I hadnât watched the film in a while but I do remember seeing it and loving it. Reading the script for the first time, it was interesting to see exact quotes from the film with extra lines added in for extra comic effect.
How would you describe Frau BlĂŒcher and was there anything that drew you to the production?
Frau BlĂŒcher is the formidable housekeeper of Castle Frankenstein whose very name makes horses neigh. I was excited to play the role because I loved Cloris Leachmanâs portrayal of her in the original movie of Young Frankenstein. I loved the fact that she was funny but also mysterious and frightening.
What is YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL like to perform in and how is it being part of the regional premiere?
The show is great fun to perform in and we are all very proud to be presenting not only the regional premiere but a brand-new production with new orchestrations that will be part of the Hope Mill Theatre 10th anniversary celebrations.
What is it like being directed and choreographed by Nick Winston and working alongside the rest of the cast, which includes Ore Oduba as Dr Frederick Frankenstein, Pete Gallagher as The Monster, Julie Yammanee as Inga and Rhiannon Chesterman as Elizabeth Benning?
I have worked with Nick Winston several times before. He is not only a fantastic choreographer but he has a great sense of humour, which I think distinguishes this particular production of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL. There are laughs which are scripted but there is also a lot of visual humour that came from things we did in the rehearsal room. All of the actors are first class and we all love working with each other and watching each otherâs scenes.
Who do you think will enjoy watching YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL and why would you recommend booking tickets for the show, which is running in Manchester until Sunday 30th November?
Fans of the film will love this show and will delight in the nostalgia, of course. But weâve had people watch the previews who donât know anything about the film and love it too. Itâs fast-moving and the songs are great, catchy Broadway-style showtunes. It is pure entertainment for audiences of all ages (except very young children who might find it a little scary!).
In June, you were part of Red Peppers/Aged in Wood at Theatre at the Tabard – playing Lily Pepper in the NoĂ«l Coward play Red Peppers and Deena Ames in the world premiere of Aged in Wood written by Cian Griffin – can you tell us about your time in the plays?
I had a wonderful time in Red Peppers/Aged in Wood at the Tabard Theatre. I played two âformidableâ women, both actresses (there seems to be a running theme here with strong female characters!). The Red Peppers play by NoĂ«l Coward was set in the 1920s with a bickering Music Hall husband and wife act George and Lily Peppers. I played Lily and got to throw my weight around and hurl very witty insults to all and sundry.
My role of Deena Ames in Aged in Wood was a modern-day mature actress struggling to find meaningful work, dealing with a leading man who keeps forgetting his lines and juggling the backstage drama of a dysfunctional family. It was a challenging and very satisfying role to play, which resonated greatly with my own life and that of other actress friends who came to watch the play.
How was it performing alongside Cassidy Janson and your YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL co-star Julie Yammanee in last yearâs production of Jerryâs Girls at Menier Chocolate Factory, which celebrated the life and legacy of legendary award-winning Broadway composer Jerry Herman?
Performing alongside the superb Julie Yammanee and Cassidy Janson in Jerryâs Girls was one of the highlights of my career to date. We were all on stage together the whole time and performed a lot of songs in harmony. It was hard work but we were thrilled to have the privilege of performing these iconic Jerry Herman songs.
What was it like taking on the role of Emily Hobbs in ELF the Musical at Plymouth, in the West End, at Dublin and the Lowry Theatre?
I loved playing Emily Hobbs in the musical of Elf, which I was lucky enough to be in several times. It was a magical show and as a mum myself, I could relate to the narrative of a woman wanting to make a perfect Christmas for her child.
In the 2016 UK premiere of BIG the Musical, you played Mrs Baskin, how was it originating the character on stage?
Another âmumâ role for me, which was a fabulous opportunity. I do remember having to practise a routine popping toast into a toaster and having to catch it when it flew out. Not easy! But very satisfying when I got the hang of it.
How did you find the experience playing Alternate Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard at Comedy Theatre (now Harold Pinter Theatre) in the West End?
Playing Norma Desmond for over 25 performances in the West End was one of my favourite times in my career. I had dreamt of playing that role. I absolutely love the original film and the tragic figure of a great film star trying to retain her stardom in a changing world. Andrew Lloyd Webberâs music and Don Blackâs lyrics are sublime. I will be forever grateful to have played Norma Desmond.
What do you remember most from starring as Sally Smith in Me and My Girl in the West End and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz on tour early in your theatre career?
It is a very long time ago but Dorothy was my first tour. It was the second musical role I had played before landing my first West End role as Sally Smith in Me and My Girl. It was also my first tour and I remember feeling a little lost and out of my element when I was away for the first time. I was given a very cute dog to play Toto, who was my companion on the show and then became a full-time member of our family!
Playing Sally Smith for three years was an exceptional time of my life. I performed the role with the incredibly talented Gary Wilmot, who is a friend to this day. The casts we worked with were all wonderfully talented and it really was the âhappiest show in townâ.
You have also performed in pantomimes, most recently as Spirit of the Ring in Aladdin at Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, how different do you find pantomimes to standard theatre productions?
My last two pantomimes have been at the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, directed by Nick Winston, our director on YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL, so they are pantos with fabulous musical numbers as well as high comedy. The main difference between performing pantos as opposed to standard productions is the schedule. In panto season you will generally perform twice a day and maybe three on a Saturday!
For your role of Mags in Doctor Who alongside seventh Doctor – Sylvester McCoy, you still attend events and conventions around the world, and previously revived the role as the Doctorâs companion for audio dramas with Big Finish productions, what is the franchise like to be part of?
I was in Doctor Who back in 1988 and to still be part of it is quite astonishing. I also write and draw comics and create fan art so I am invited to conventions both as an actor and as a comics creator. I was recently inducted into the London Film and Comic Con Hall of Fame for services to Film, TV and Comics. A great honour!
As an impressionist, you were a regular on shows including Spitting Image and Copy Cats, what are some of your favourite memories from these projects?
I have too many memories to single out but I do remember being dressed as Bonnie Langford as Peter Pan, filming down a busy high street for the Bobby Davro Show and amusing all the shoppers who thought I really was Bonnie!
Over your extensive career so far, you have worked on many other shows including Menopause the Musical 2, Spamalot, Blitz!, Tracy Beaker Gets Real, Sweeney Todd and South Pacific, do you have any stand-out highlights that you can share?
Playing Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd is another highlight. We performed the show as an immersive theatre piece in the Bridewell. The audience promenaded around the theatre to each scene. So when I performed The Worst Pies in London, the audience felt like they were real customers!
Where does your love of acting and impressions come from and how did you get started in the entertainment industry?
My love of acting and impressions started as a toddler. My mum said I used to watch the television transfixed and literally mimic all the things I saw. As I grew up, I became obsessed with old Hollywood musicals and used to sing along with Judy Garland, imitating her voice as accurately as I could.
What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?
My favourite films include A Star is Born starring Judy Garland, All About Eve and Sunset Boulevard. Favourite TV shows include Breaking Bad, Mad Men and White Lotus. And in my spare time, I like to draw, go on long walks and am currently writing my second novel.
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