Interview: Actor Liza Sadovy on playing Aunt Eller in the West End transfer of OKLAHOMA!

Photo credit: Matt Crockett

Much loved musical Oklahoma! has been reimagined and re-orchestrated for the 21st century in this new production, which is transferring to the West End next month after huge success at the Young Vic last year. During rehearsals, we caught up with Liza Sadovy who plays Aunt Eller in the production.

What first attracted you to the role of Aunt Eller?

Well, first it’s employment!! And classy employment at that. Secondly, the character Aunt Eller is absolutely diametrically opposite to the character I recently played in Cabaret – Fräulein Schneider,  and thirdly I would never want to do a traditional version of Oklahoma! That wouldn’t interest me but in this rendition, it is edgy, brutal, sexy and re-realised so brilliantly!!

The production opened last year at the Young Vic. Did you expect it to be as well received as it was?

Yes, I think I did. Particularly for a Young Vic audience. If Oklahoma! is being produced at the Young Vic, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s not going to be traditional. I also loved the fact that some people walked out because they were so cross that it was not what they were expecting. I love a controversial production. But most of the time people were crazy for it.

It's now transferring to the Wyndhams Theatre for a West End run. How does it feel to have been a part of this journey from the Young Vic?

It’s feels just right to see it through to a much-deserved West End transfer to the Wyndhams Theatre and a lot more people will get the opportunity to see it. 

What can audiences expect from this production? How is it different from previous adaptations?

Well, I have only ever seen the original movie.  I’ve also seen bits of the production at the National Theatre’s 1998 production which was highly lauded. But if the audience bases their expectations on either of those two productions, they’re going to be extremely surprised. Because it is a complete re-invention using the same words and music but with a fantastic spin. 

Oklahoma! is seen as one of the more classic styles of musical theatre. What other classic musical would you like to see revamped for modern audiences?

I honestly don’t know. Maybe My Fair Lady might be quite fun because it’s so popular in its traditional form it might be quite interesting to revisit that in a modern sense. I’m sure there are many others too. I believe that the new production of Guys and Dolls being produced at the Bridge Theatre this year is going to be a very different experience and immersive. I very much look forward to seeing it.

Oklahoma! opens at the Wyndham’s Theatre on 16 February, with tickets available here.