On Friday 12th December, Djalenga Scott will start her run as Queen Rat in Dick Whittington at De Montfort Hall, and she is in the cast alongside Richie Anderson as Alderman Fitzwarren, Rebecca Keatley as Alice Fitzwarren and Suzanne Shaw as Fairy Bowbells, with Dick Whittington running until Saturday 3rd January 2026. Recently, Djalenga finished her run playing Velma Kelly in Chicago for the 2024/25 UK Tour, and she was previously in the show in London’s West End and last year in Japan and China. In 2019, Djalenga played Bombalurina in CATS at Kilworth House Theatre, and she worked with Jonny Fines (her now-husband) when she played Lily St. Regis in Annie opposite his character of Rooster and they previously worked together on the Leicester Curve production of Grease in Dubai, with Djalenga playing Rizzo and Jonny playing Kenickie. Amongst Djalenga’s further stage projects, she has appeared in West Side Story, Batman Live and Flashdance, and on screen, she played Alexandra in feature film I Give it a Year and Esmé/Scarlett the Wolf Hunter in the CBBC series Trapped!. Djalenga is the co-founder of Finesse Stage and Screen which she set up with her sister-in-law Olivia Fines-Baker, and they both worked together when they were in the cast of Fame. Talking with Djalenga, she told us about playing Queen Rat in the upcoming Dick Whittington pantomime at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, her recent runs as Velma Kelly in Chicago, her time in Annie and Grease and being a co-founder of Finesse Stage and Screen.
In this year’s Dick Whittington pantomime at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, you’ll be playing Queen Rat; how would you describe the character and what can audiences expect from your portrayal?
Queen Rat is deliciously wicked. She relishes chaos, glamour, and a hint of mischief. I always think the best villains are the ones who invite the audience into their world rather than push them away. My Queen Rat is sassy, fierce, and fabulous, with a few surprises up her furry sleeve. Expect claws, comedy, quick wit, sharp heels, and maybe even a moment where you’ll secretly find yourself rooting for her!
Have you performed in pantomime previously, and what are you looking forward to for being part of the Dick Whittington cast – which also includes Richie Anderson, Rebecca Keatley, and Suzanne Shaw – this festive season?
Yes, I adore panto. It’s one of the purest forms of live theatre because it brings the whole family together, from toddlers to grandparents. I’m really looking forward to the electric atmosphere at De Montfort, meeting our audiences, and diving into this joyful festive tradition. It’s a chance to create real magic, the kind kids remember for years.
How are you preparing for opening night on Friday 12th December?
Preparation has involved character play and costume fittings (Queen Rat simply must look the part!), and lots of vocal work, song prep, and physical training. The stamina needed for panto is real!
How do you think it will be interacting with the family audience?
It’s my favourite part! Kids are the most honest theatre audience. They keep you on your toes because you instantly know what’s landing. Their joy is contagious, and with panto it’s a shared experience, with the audience being such a huge part of it, which is even more fun.
Why would you recommend seeing the De Montfort Hall pantomime of Dick Whittington this Christmas?
Because it’s sure to be heartwarming, hilarious, and this cast line-up is sensational. It’s a guaranteed great night out for the whole family.
You have recently finished starring as Velma Kelly in the UK Tour of Chicago, what is Velma like to play, and is there anything you enjoy most about the character?
Velma Kelly is iconic, sharp, bold, seductive, unapologetic, and electric. I adore playing women who step into their power, whether it’s glamorous or gritty. Velma demands precision, presence, and a deep connection to Fosse style. She’s a dream role in every way, and I feel there might be some glimmers of her in Queen Rat this year…
How is it telling the story of Chicago and performing the Kander and Ebb musical numbers?
Kander and Ebb write music that gets better and better the more you hear it or perform it. Chicago blends satire, sexiness, and truth with such sophistication. Performing those iconic numbers is honestly a dream come true. You’re honouring the legacy of Fosse while finding your own voice within it, and that’s a privilege.
Having previously worked on the show in the West End, how was it returning to the musical for the 2024/25 UK Tour, and what was it like taking the show to China/Japan last year?
Returning to Velma always feels like coming home but with fresh eyes. Touring the UK allowed us to share Chicago with audiences who may not get to London, and they embraced it beautifully. Taking the show to China and Japan was extraordinary, the audiences were so passionate. It reminded me how universal Chicago is: ambition, love, betrayal. Everyone connects to those things somehow!
How was it taking on the role of Bombalurina in CATS at Kilworth House Theatre in 2019?
Magical! Kilworth is one of the most gorgeous venues. Bombalurina is fiery, sleek, playful, and pure feline, a total joy to embody. The physicality is intense; you’re essentially a dancing athlete in glamorous fur!
You have played Lily St. Regis in Annie, how was your time working on the musical?
Lily is an absolute riot, ridiculously over the top and so much fun. The music is incredible, the story timeless. I love roles that let me lean into comedy while still having a dark undertone, villains are my favourite! I was lucky enough to tour the UK with the production and perform in the West End opposite my now-husband, Jonny Fines, playing Rooster. We have a seven-year-old daughter now, so that job really changed my life in many incredible ways.
What was it like being involved with the Leicester Curve/Dubai production of Grease as Rizzo?
Rizzo is one of the greats – layered, misunderstood, resilient, vulnerable but tough. Performing her in Dubai with the Curve team was unforgettable. There Are Worse Things I Could Do will always have a piece of my heart. I performed opposite my husband Jonny again in this production, and Rizzo and Kenickie were having the time of their lives in Dubai!!
You’ve performed in many other shows; can you share some further career highlights?
I’ve been so lucky, from West Side Story’s Anita, to Batman Live’s Harley Quinn, Magenta in Rocky Horror, and Mrs Potiphar in Joseph. Each role has pushed me, taught me, and gifted me unforgettable experiences. Playing Jazmin/Alex Owens in Flashdance was a huge highlight, gritty, athletic, powerful. I lived my best life in legwarmers!
As a screen actor, you played Alexandra in I Give It a Year and Esmé/Scarlett the Wolf Hunter in CBBC’s Trapped!, what were those projects like to film?
Screen work is wonderfully intimate compared to theatre’s scale. I Give It a Year was a whirlwind. Working on a feature was exhilarating, and being surrounded by such talent was inspiring.
Trapped! was pure fun, adventure, fantasy, big characters. My daughter loves to watch this series!
Can you tell us about Finesse Stage and Screen, which you co-founded with Olivia Fines-Baker, and do you have a favourite aspect of running it?
I’m honestly obsessed with Finesse Stage and Screen! We’ve brought real West End-level training to Loughborough, working with performers from age six right through to pro level, and it just lights me up. I run it with my brilliant sister-in-law, Olivia Fines-Baker. We played Carmen and Iris together in Fame, so getting to pass that experience on is incredibly special.
Watching our students grow in confidence and train with incredible industry creatives is honestly the greatest joy. The energy, the heart, the community… it’s magic. We’re so proud of what’s happening at Finesse Stage and Screen. We also have a showcase on 30th December at The MMC Venue in Mountsorrel, featuring West End stars performing alongside the rising local talent of Finesse, and it’s going to be an amazing night!
How did you get into performing, was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
I’ve been singing, dancing, and performing for as long as I can remember. I was that kid who lived for ballet, tap, jazz, drama, I just loved it all. My parents work in the music industry, so music was always around me growing up, and it felt completely natural to follow that path. I never really questioned whether I’d do it professionally, it seemed like a natural progression. I’ve worked incredibly hard over the years, and I feel very lucky to have built the career I have and to still be doing what I love. That mix of passion, determination, and joy is what’s driven me from the start.
What are some of your favourite shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?
I’m a total theatre lover, so I’ll happily watch anything! But a few favourites really stand out. I recently saw The Addams Family and absolutely loved it. I think Morticia might be my next dream role. I’m also a big fan of the music in Hadestown, and I’ll always adore the classics like Singin’ in the Rain.
I grew up watching musical films with my mum like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Kiss Me, Kate, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, West Side Story, South Pacific, and anything with Jane Russell or Marilyn Monroe. They were my favourites. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, There’s No Business Like Show Business, I loved them all!
I adore theatre and watching live performance, but in my free time you’ll mostly find me with my family. I have a huge passion for teaching, and I also love great food. My favourite place to be is on a beach with my family and a cocktail in hand!
What are you hoping 2026 brings for you?
Joy, creativity, and new challenges. More opportunities to inspire young performers, and a beautiful balance of work and family life.
Follow Djalenga on:
Categories: home, Interview, Pantomimes, Theatre