In the regional premiere of the stage adaptation of Mel Brooks’ 1974 film Young Frankenstein (starring Gene Wilder), Julie Yammanee plays Inga at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. Julie works with a cast including Ore Oduba (Dr Frederick Frankenstein), Pete Gallagher (The Monster), Jessica Martin (Frau Blücher), Rhiannon Chesterman (Elizabeth Benning) and Curtis Patrick (Igor), and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL is running until Sunday 30th November and is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, and will head to Liverpool Playhouse for a limited Christmas run from Wednesday 3rd December until Saturday 3rd January – with the cast not yet announced. Over the summer, Julie worked again with Nick Winston when she played Tom Watson / Thekla in Nerds at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and prior to this, she starred opposite Cassidy Janson and her YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL co-star Jessica Martin in Jerry’s Girls at the Menier Chocolate Factory, which celebrated the life and legacy of legendary Broadway composer Jerry Herman. Having worked on the early workshops of Clueless, Julie went on to play Miss Geist in the UK premiere of the musical at Churchill Theatre in Bromley, and amongst her previous projects, she was in the cast of I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, played Emma Parker in Bonnie & Clyde at the West End’s Garrick Theatre (working once again with Nick Winston), played Marie/Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Hope Mill Theatre, and was part of the casts of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Avenue Q, Spamilton and Carousel. Answering our questions, Julie talks about what Inga is like to play in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL, her time in Nerds and Jerry’s Girls and being part of the UK premiere of Clueless.

You are playing Inga in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, how would you describe the character and what is she like to play?

Inga is a lively, adventurous girl full of fun and positivity. If I had to describe her love languages, I would say: words of affirmation and physical touch! She’s an absolute joy to play because she’s unlike any character I’ve tackled before, I mean, I love extreme roles, so stepping into something this playful really lights me up.

How much did you know about YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL before being cast as Inga and how is it being part of the regional premiere of the stage adaptation of Mel Brooks’ 1974 film starring Gene Wilder?

I’ve loved the film for years, I even watched it with friends during lockdown! I also saw the stage production when it came to London. Gene Wilder is a legend, and that cast is iconic.

I’m a massive Mel Brooks fan, so being part of this show was a dream I didn’t even know I had. The whole experience has been wonderful and the production feels like a big, hilarious love letter to the film, which surprisingly felt so important to me.

How have you prepared for playing Inga and was there anything that drew you to the role?

I honestly think there’s always a piece of yourself in every role. I see it across our whole cast, it’s delightful. Inga represents a side of me I usually only show to my partner, haha, but a parody version.

What drew me in is that she’s different from the roles I usually play. She’s flirty, fun and full of sparkle. If ever I got stuck, I’d ask myself, “If a drag queen played her, what would she do?” and boom – the answer came instantly. Every character in this show is deliciously camp, and I adore it.

Do you have a favourite song in the production and how was it rehearsing for the musical?

It’s impossible to pick just one as they’re all total earworms. The ones that stick with me most are Together Again and Surprise. I laugh every time I hear them as well.

Rehearsals were a riot. The cast is hilarious, the vibe is joyful, and everyone is so kind. It’s the perfect combo.

What has it been like meeting your fellow cast members and being directed/choreographed by Nick Winston?

I’ve been lucky enough to work with Ore Oduba, Jessica Martin, Curtis Patrick, and of course, Nick Winston before. Plus, I played Marie the Fairy Godmother in Hope Mill’s Cinderella three years ago so this show feels like one big reunion party!

Nick always gives us a safe space to play and explore. Even in high pressure moments, he stays calm, cool, and grounded, it’s honestly mind-blowing to watch. His attention to detail and his choreography blows me away every time.

And I have to shout out Lauren Hampton, our associate, who is endlessly patient, brings the best vibes, and is just incredible at what she does.

What are you looking forward to for audiences to see YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL and why would you recommend booking tickets?

Firstly, the cast is stellar. If you love the film, you’ll adore this show. And even if you’ve never heard of Young Frankenstein or Mel Brooks, you’ll still laugh your head off. His humour is timeless.

It’s hilarious, heartwarming, and pure joy, a total spirit lifter. Plus, the intimacy of the Hope Mill makes it feel practically immersive. You’ll be right in the thick of it. Money well spent I promise!

This summer, you were performing in the premiere production of Nerds (also directed by Nick Winston), how was it performing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and what did you enjoy most about playing Tom Watson / Thekla?

NERDS!! What a wild, wonderful ride. It’s one of the funniest shows I’ve ever done and it deserves a life in London. I got to play Tom Watson, Thekla, a reporter, and a judge. Multi-roling is my absolute jam, so this was a dream show for me.

I’d been begging Nick to let me play a boy for years, so finally getting to do that was such a treat. The show was brilliantly received, the cast was phenomenal, and Edinburgh itself? Pure magic. 10/10 experience.

Can you tell us about your time in Jerry’s Girls at Menier Chocolate Factory, which celebrated the life and legacy of legendary Broadway composer Jerry Herman, and where you starred opposite Cassidy Janson and your YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL co-star Jessica Martin?

YES! Oh, my heart. That was such a special time. We had the brilliant Hannah Chissick directing, and the amazing Matt Cole and Myles Brown choreographing. It was non-stop laughter and chatter!

Jessica Martin and Cassidy Janson were absolute queens, so talented, so kind, and now close friends, and having Tony Award winner Sarah Travis as our musical supervisor was a dream. The Menier is one of my favourite venues. It’s also where I did Spamilton, another show close to my heart (and another multi-roling dream!).

How was it working on the UK premiere of Clueless at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley and originating the role of Miss Geist?

That was such a full circle moment. I’d loved Clueless since I was a kid, and I got to help develop it from the early workshops. Miss Geist was gorgeously awkward and full of anxious energy (relatable) and I got to play a few other roles too which, again – I love.

What was it like being involved with I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and on tour?

That show is a love letter to musicals and everyone who makes them. It’s laugh out loud funny but also has real heart. I’ve done it twice at the Fringe and it always knocks it out of the park. I adore Alexander Bermange and his brilliant writing. That show has my whole heart.

You played Emma Parker in Bonnie & Clyde at the Garrick Theatre in the West End, what was the character like to play and how was it filming the show for a cinema release?

That was intense!! In the best way. We rehearsed and filmed the concert version in under 10 days, which sounds impossible, but with Nick Winston, the impossible somehow becomes doable. I think Nick being calm gives us a false sense that everything is going to be alright but… it always is. He’s onto something there. Emma was a huge challenge – dark, vulnerable, and worlds away from my usual comedy parts. I had to dig deep emotionally before each show, but it was so rewarding. I’m really proud of that work and so grateful Nick trusted me with it.

How was it taking on the role of Marie/Fairy Godmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Hope Mill Theatre and telling the story?

Pure joy. Honestly one of my favourite roles ever. I grew up on Rodgers and Hammerstein, so this was a dream gig. The team let me go delightfully nuts with her. I remember they told me I sound like Carol Channing in my audition – thankfully we found a happy medium!

We didn’t make her ‘old’, just fabulously eccentric. And the transformation from bush to full fairy glam? Camp perfection.

What are some of your favourite memories from touring with Priscilla Queen of the Desert as Cynthia and Avenue Q as Christmas Eve early in your stage career?

There are so many! Priscilla was one big glittery disco, on and off stage. I laughed and had way too much fun on that. Being Aussie as well made me feel right at home.

Avenue Q was hilarious but also surprisingly profound, as every single show I’d catch a new lyric that hit differently. Both shows taught me so much about comedy, heart, and connection.

Can you say about some of the further highlights from your time in theatre so far, which has seen you play Carrie Pepperidge in Carousel at Kilworth House Theatre, Myrtle Wilson in Gatsby at Southwark Playhouse, be in the cast of Spamilton and film for Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and The Sleepover Club?

Spamilton and Carousel are big ones for me. Both stretched me in ways that have stayed with me still to this day.

How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?

I was painfully shy as a kid, so my parents put me into performing to help. I guess it worked! I actually wanted to be a pastry chef, but I was told performing would be more fun and here we are.

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

I just saw The Producers at the Garrick which was BRILLIANT. One of my all-time favourite musicals ever.

I’m dying to see ABBA Voyage. I’ve heard it’s mind-blowing and it just looks like one full experience.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Food!!! I could cook all day. Obsessed.

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