Interview: Bridgette Amofah on performing in LOVESTUCK: A NEW COMEDY MUSICAL
LOVESTUCK, the unmissable new comedy musical inspired by true events, receives its world premiere at Theatre Royal Stratford East this month. We spoke to cast member Bridgette Amofah who plays Cassandra/Miseraie in the new production.
Can you tell us a bit about Lovestuck: A New Comedy Musical and who you play in it?
Lovestuck is an original rom-com musical that features a viral story about faeces. Ultimately, it is a show about self-love and self-acceptance and quite honestly, the songs are banging. I play the characters Cassandra and Miseraie. One is a childhood friend of Lucy, the protagonist, and the other is a character who represents all of Lucy’s negative opinions that she has about herself.
What has been your highlight of the rehearsal process for Lovestuck: A New Comedy Musical so far?
Honestly, the people. Some of the kindest, wittiest and talented people I’ve ever met. Coming in every day is a genuine joy.
Which moment of the show are you most looking forward to sharing with audiences?
There’s a song called ‘Cat Lady’, which I think is genius and ludicrous! That and the infamous toilet moment…
Having recently appeared in lots of plays, how has it been to work on a musical?
Um, challenging! Anyone who thinks this is easy, guess again! But also so much fun. I imagine it’s particularly fun, because we are creating a new musical from scratch so we can essentially do what we like! (within reason of course.)
How are you finding working on a comedy in comparison to your previous work on the far more serious A Streetcar Named Desire?
I have always wanted to do comedy, but it’s never really come up. I can’t think why, because I’m absolutely hysterical! (jk jk), so it’s nice to be able to tap into that. Having said that, this show still has a lot of pathos, and I get to explore that as well. So it’s the best of both worlds really.
The show sounds very topical and timely. Amidst the comedy, what does the show have to say about today's world?
There really is a lot of heart in this show. Without giving away too much, it genuinely is a show about self-acceptance and shutting out the negative voices in your head. And at the risk of sounding trite, it is about realising you are enough.
Why should audiences come and see Lovestuck: A New Comedy Musical this summer?
Because it’s a hysterical, heartfelt, heartwarming, hopeful, human story. And because it took me too long to come up with positive words beginning with H! Also, because the songs are some of the best songs I’ve ever heard in musical theatre, and they are sung by the most talented people I’ve ever met. I’m looking at you, Jessica and Shane.
