Interview: Desmonda Cathabel on playing Lily in ROSIE THE MUSICAL concert

After more than a decade in development, the highly anticipated new musical ROSIE is making its West End debut with a one-night, semi-staged performance this month. Set in Edwardian London, Rosie is based on the true story of Miss Rosie Boote, who was raised in an Irish convent but dreamed of starring in the West End. We spoke to Desmonda Cathabel who stars as Lily Turner to find out more.

How did you first become involved with ROSIE, and what has the development process been like?

My first involvement was in 2023 when Chris Broom asked me to record ‘I Still Believe in Love’ as its own track and released it on all the streaming platforms, which is now a track that my character in the musical, Lily Turner, will be singing. Now we’re in rehearsals for the premiere of ROSIE in the form of a semi-staged concert, and it’s been wonderful! Always exciting to collaborate in the room with all the creatives, finding what could work for the piece!

Can you tell us about the character of Lily, and what drew you to them?

Lily is someone who has been through so much hardship and yet she’s able to find the strength to still believe in the goodness of people, and I think in a more and more depressing world that we are in, it’s important to have that mental fortitude and kindness that she has.

What do you find most inspirational about the story?

I love how Rosie got a lot of support from the women around her at every step of the way, and that together they broke through social conventions.

Does it feel different to portray a real historical figure rather than a fictional character?

To me, although its based on an actual person, but because they were from an era where we have no footage of them or how they talked or moved, it feels like we don’t have to do an imitation but rather an invention of these real people could be as if they’re fictional! So a mix between both.

Is there anything you learnt from your time on the TV show Mamma Mia: I Have a Dream that still influences your performances now?

I learned that I can perform in high-pressure environments and learning to be calm and to focus on the job rather than everything else surrounding it is the best way to put out the best performance!

How do you hope audiences will feel after watching ROSIE?

I hope they come out humming a few tunes because there are some real bangers here!

ROSIE plays at the Adelphi Theatre, London on 17 March, with further info here.