JENNY GALLOWAY
Q & A with Jenny Galloway when she starred as 'Mrs. Brill' from 1 Sep - 29 Nov 2009 in Mary Poppins at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
Place of birth
London England
Did you go to training school, if so which one?
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, UK
As an actor, do you have a preference for stage, tv or film?
I love the stage the best, it's different every night
and you can keep working at the piece.
Your first stage performance.
(not counting a shepherd in the school
nativity play) Flipote in Tartuffe at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre
in Scotland.
Career highlight to date.
Having now performed on both Broadway and in
the West End!
What is it like returning to the role of Mrs. Brill, and how does playing the role on Broadway compare to your London performance?
Returning to Mrs Brill - It was unexpected. I was happy to have
another look at her, she is part of a double act really and the fun
this time was developing a working relationship
with my Roberston Aye
(the wonderful Mark Price). I asked a lot of him and he has
delivered in spades, we have tremendous fun, and so do the audience!
It is not that
different really to doing it in the West End, except the schedule
here is crazy!
I became a fan after seeing you perform as Sarraghina in the Donmar Production of Nine in 1996/97 - Could you share a few thoughts about what you remember about playing that role?
'Nine' - It is a great role, in a wonderful musical. I remember
the first time the stage filled with all fourteen very different
women as we descended a spiral staircase and the intake of breath
from the audience was audible
as we launched into the overture, thrilling. And
who wouldn't want to sing 'Be Italian'?
What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
My first job in Scotland- I was an acting/asm and all the shows were in repertory which meant we had very
little time for anything let alone sleep. One afternoon I stole away
to my digs for a nap.
The next thing i
knew, banging on my front door(this was before cell phones) I was
late, boy was I late so late that I missed the entire show! I got
carpeted the next morning and just died of
embarrassment. I
still cannot take a nap in the afternoon, unless I have nothing to do
in the evening!
What roles would you most like to play?
I would love to have another chance at Mrs Lovett.
Who are your Favourite actors?
Stage- Dame Judi Dench, Penelope Wilton,
Michael Gambon and many more.
Film - Al Pacino, Meryl
Streep, and many more
What is the most annoying part about your job?
Having to wear a wig - the really bad hair
after the pin curls come out!
If you hadn’t become a performer, what might you have done instead?
Been the iron chef! Or something to do with food!
Favourite books
The Summer Book, by Tove Jansenn, The
Kitchen Diary's by Nigel Slater
Favourite films
Bringing up Baby, Top Hat, Dog Day
Afternoon. Pan's Labyrinth.
Favourite TV programs
Damages, The Simpsons, and any David
Attenborough wildlife documentary
Favourite holiday destinations
Portugal- Lisbon, and San
Francisco
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
Pillow, swiss army knife, and a
bottle of the finest white rum to go with the coconuts of course!
Do you have any superstitions?
I didn't think i had any but I realize that i
always put my left shoe/ boot on first in the dressing room ....
Questions by Alan Bird
| 
