This year, Angelica Pearl Scott played Caroline/Young Charity in the world premiere of The Greatest Showman at Bristol Hippodrome, which sold out their run ahead of opening in March, with the musical written by Tim Federle and directed by Casey Nicholaw, and it starred Oliver Tompsett (P.T. Barnum), Josh St. Clair (Alternate P.T. Barnum) and Samantha Barks (Charity Barnum). In 2024, Angelica played the starring role of Matilda in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, and she performed Naughty at West End Live last year, and Angelica originated the role of Natalie Hillard in the UK premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire at Manchester Opera House, and transferred to London’s Shaftesbury Theatre, with the casts led by her on-stage father Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire, played by Gabriel Vick. During the COVID pandemic, Angelica returned to theatre for A Christmas Carol at the Dominion Theatre, having previously had her first professional project performing in The King and I at The London Palladium with Ken Watanabe and Kelli O’Hara, and she was part of the filmed version that was released in cinemas. Speaking to us, Angelica told us about her recent run as Caroline/Young Charity in The Greatest Showman, starring as Matilda in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical and originating the role of Natalie Hillard in the UK premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire.

How was your time performing in the world premiere of The Greatest Showman (which was written by Tim Federle) at Bristol Hippodrome earlier this year and being directed by Casey Nicholaw?

I enjoyed my time working on the world premiere of The Greatest Showman – the atmosphere, and the friendships we made. I liked taking a more laid-back role after playing Matilda, which is quite a demanding role.

With the musical having sold out before its opening night in March, what was it like seeing the audience response to the production and how was it helping bring a hugely popular film to the stage?

I could say that the audiences really enjoyed the shows. The very long queues outside, the excitement of everyone, the screaming and clapping, and the fact that it was sold out before the show, was really worth watching. It’s amazing how they put it up all together on stage from the film.

What did you enjoy most about playing Caroline/Young Charity and how did you prepare for taking on the characters?

I loved the costume of Young Charity, it looks so elegant, and the A Million Dreams part. As Caroline, I think… is for having a sister on stage. I became a big sister, even if it’s not for real.

To prepare for the roles, I would say… I imagined myself in the situations of Young Charity/Caroline. I think putting yourself in the shoes of the character you are playing is such a good way to prepare for the role as it helps you understand why they might act certain ways or do certain things.

In 2024, you joined the cast of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical as Matilda, what was it like auditioning for the musical and how did you feel booking the starring role?

When I auditioned for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, it was quite nerve-racking. There were so many talented kids, but I was absolutely determined to get the role. It had always been my dream role since I was young. When I got the role, I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to tell everyone, but I couldn’t until the official announcement.

I felt so grateful to be the only one to get the role at that time, so it’s something really more special.

How different was Matilda to play to your other characters and did you have a favourite scene or song to perform?

Matilda is a very different character to other shows that I have been part of, where the characters are innocent, fun and childlike. Matilda’s role is incredibly demanding. You’re constantly on stage, you need to be resilient, it requires stamina, and you need to endure everything.

In my time, I covered a lot of illnesses, so it was tough. The part about rising up on the platform and singing Quiet is one of my favourite scenes and songs too.

What do you remember from your final show as Matilda and what do you miss most about the role?

My final show in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical was like an emotional roller coaster. I was extremely sad to be leaving the show, but on the contrary I was happy to be leaving, knowing the show had brought me so many brilliant memories. I’m thankful to everyone in the show for making it the best experience.

I was sad that I would be saying goodbye to everyone, however, I thought that it was nice to be handing over the show to somebody else so that they could also enjoy the amazing show just like I did. Currently, I miss working with all the people. Everybody I worked with was so kind, supportive and became amazing friends.

How did you find the experience of performing Naughty at West End Live last year?

When I performed Naughty at West End Live, I was super nervous since I knew I had only one chance and I wanted it to go perfectly. When I was on stage, I remember holding the platinum blonde hair dye and thinking, “Why is my hand shaking so much?”. I think it was from all the adrenaline, nerves and excitement.

Once I finished, I felt so relieved that it went well. I was so happy that I got the chance to do something like that in front of thousands of people in broad daylight.

What was it like originating the character Natalie Hillard in the UK premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire at Manchester Opera House and how was it transferring with the musical to the West End at Shaftesbury Theatre?

Playing Natalie Hillard in the UK premiere of Mrs Doubtfire in Manchester was a new and fun adventure for me. I had never been away from home alone at a young age but it was nice to try something new for a change. The offer to reprise the role in the West end when it finished, is a bit sad but exciting, it is due to the fact that I was the only kid coming back to go to the West End. Meeting new friends is like building a bond again, however the offer to renew for the third time is not easy when you get exhausted.

Do you have any stand-out memories from being in the cast of Mrs. Doubtfire that you can share, and what was it like working with Gabriel Vick, who starred as your on-stage father Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire?

I have this one memory that I will never forget. It was during a show at the time when Mrs. Doubtfire had been revealed to be Dad, and I just had to have hiccups. Everyone on stage was silent, and I started hiccuping. I remember seeing some of the other actors on stage trying not to laugh, and as soon as everyone got off everyone was laughing. I was still quietly laughing, because the next scene was supposed to be sad.

Working with Gabriel Vick was so amazing. He made us all laugh, and he was perfect for the role. Performing on gala/press night is overwhelming.

I was surprised to see him waiting at the Cambridge Theatre stage door after the show (the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical). He told me, “You’re fantastic – now you know what it’s like to play a main role”.

How was it returning to live theatre for A Christmas Carol at Dominion Theatre when shows could briefly open during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020?

Yes, it was 2020 during the COVID time. A Christmas Carol was quite different – it was so quiet, and there were a lot of rules and safety measures, but it was nice to be back live on stage.

I didn’t like having to get tested every day for COVID. It was opened just for only a few shows when it locked down again, but it was nice to meet and work with Brian Conley. Although it was brief, I still enjoyed every bit of it.

For your first professional musical, you performed in The King and I at The London Palladium alongside Ken Watanabe and Kelli O’Hara, what do you remember most from this production, and how was it being part of the filmed version that was released in cinemas?

I was turning six years old when I performed in The King and I at The London Palladium, so I don’t really remember much. I just remember being thrilled to be in the show and not understanding why everyone was fussing over how cute I was.

They said I performed on gala night and worked with famous personalities like Ken Watanabe and Kelli O’Hara.

Being a part of the filmed version was fascinating. It was released worldwide, so my family in Canada and Asia were able to watch it. I also get to see what I was like when I was young, and see how I have grown so much as an actor and as a person.

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

I think my love for performing comes from my love for singing. I have always loved to sing, and my mum has videos of me singing songs like Let It Go from Frozen and A Million Dreams (The Greatest Showman) etc. I got into a drama school at the age of four, and that’s where the Make Believe founder Joel saw me. The rest is history.

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

I am a really indecisive person, so it’s hard to pick favourites. If I had to choose, I think I would pick Stranger Things: The First Shadow. I would like to see Hamilton (soon), it’s just only because people always sing to me Angelica, Eliza and Peggy.

Have you been given any advice over your time as an actor so far that has stuck with you?

Hmmmm… advice that I have been given about performing in theatre shows is you need to be reliable, disciplined, committed and focused on your goal. The show must go on, even if you messed up, just pretend like nothing happened. You need to know how to improvise.

What do you find most enjoyable, and most challenging, about performing in a theatre show?

Most of it is always getting to make new friends. It’s such a big part of behind the scenes, and even when shows end, you still keep in touch with them. I also love watching my friends in other shows and supporting them.

However, I think the most challenging thing about performing is probably finishing shows. It’s always weird for at least a week after a show has finished because it becomes part of your routine, and then suddenly it isn’t. Getting used to normal life again can be quite hard.

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

When I’m not acting, I like to spend time with my friends, go on holiday and do artsy things. I play violin and keyboard, and have started training in ice skating.

I’m thinking of going back to karate because I’m already at a high level, so there’s still a lot of things to be busy with.

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

I had a recording offered before, but I was busy in theatre those times, so we’ll see if the offer still stands.

I’m going into Year 10 and GCSEs soon, and as my mum always tells me, “Education comes first”.

I hope that for the rest of the year I get to enjoy life outside of acting, but am still willing to continue if there are opportunities to come along the way.