Their winter show, Carrie, will be performed at the Greenwood Theater
King’s Musical Theater Society (KMT) is run by ambitious and talented students from diverse backgrounds, united by a love of musical theatre.
In just six weeks, they’ve resurrected their winter show, Carrie, and it’s finally on stage for three performances (starting on the 19thth– 21St November) at the Greenwood Theatre.
The King’s Tab interviewed the cast and crew to hear about the creative process behind the show and how they balance professional life with rehearsals.
What Carrie is talking about and why choose it for KMT’s main stage?
Image: Ava Satasi
Nicole Fiehn (Producer): “Carrie is the story of a teenage outcast who is relentlessly bullied by her mother at school and at home. From the outside it looks like it’s a story about a girl who is possessed and has telekinesis, but in reality it’s a story of kindness and compassion for others.”
Sam Matchett-Griffiths (Director): “It’s such an interesting mix of different stories that we’ve never seen before. There’s high school musicals and horror movies and musicals. It’s kind of one of the only examples of both.”
Evelyn Chow (Musical Director): “This show requires strong singers, dancers and actors, so we decided to choose a show that appeals to different strengths!”
What the audience should expect show?
Ollie Jones (Musical Director): “There must have been a reason for that Carrie was a flop on Broadway. It includes so many styles of music. The rock bits are huge, the classical bits are very cool and the musical theater bits are more than just typical modern MT. It’s such an exciting mix!”
Karen Kuroiwa (choreographer): “Carrie is not a dance-free show, but each number features dynamic transformations and canonical movements rather than complex choreography.”
What do you like most about directing or choreographing?
Sam Matchett-Griffiths (Director): “It’s the most joyous experience to see your talented friends on stage. It’s hard and stressful at times, but I couldn’t do it without the best PT ever.”
Evelyn Chow (music director): “I’m a classically trained musician studying music for my university degree, but I’ve loved musical theater forever (I still deny the accusations of being a theater kid) and MDing allows me to combine these two very different worlds.”
Ollie Jones (Musical Director): “For me, MDing is such a versatile skill. You have to play the piano, sing, teach, teach singing and communicate a complex musical language to everyone.”
Karen Kuroiwa (Choreographer): “The best thing about choreography is seeing everything come together and realizing that what you imagined will be even better in reality.”
Tell us about your characters
Image: Ava Satasi
Lulu Hughes (Carrie) : “I play Carrie White. She grew up with a very religious mother and she’s been bullied all her life. My impression of her is that she’s timid and weak, but she’s very hopeful, which is what’s kept her alive. But she also has a hatred for the world, which is understandable, so there’s a darkness in her.”
Louis De Planta (Billy): “Billy is awful. There’s not a single redeeming thing about him. My favorite part of it is stepping out of my comfort zone a little bit and doing something completely different. He’s the complete opposite of me. He’s very direct and manly, which is definitely not me, but it’s really fun to put that energy into.”
What message should the audience take away?
Charlotte Flynn (Margaret): “There are millions of Carrie Whites in the world and it’s important to remember that just because everyone does something doesn’t make it good.”
Lulu Hughes (Carrie): “Hurt people hurt people and Carrie’s characters are just in a cycle of hurt and abuse.”
Aiden Phipps (Tommy): “It’s normal for people to be morally flawed. I wouldn’t say that any character in a story is a perfect protagonist. And I think it’s always interesting to watch something where the characters aren’t particularly easy to relate to because you see them make decisions that you really wish they didn’t.”
How do you balance your social life with a main stage musical?
Cesca Fitzsimons (Mrs. Gardener): “Sometimes it’s very hard. I’m like, ‘Oh why am I doing this to myself? I need time off.’ But it’s also like KMT is not a chore. I do it because it’s fun and all my friends are there and I really enjoy it. So while it’s hard work and a big commitment, it’s also a break from my degree. So yeah, it’s an easy balance when you love it.”
What do you like most about KMT?
Image: Ava Satasi
Ella Williams (Sue): “Being at KMT is the best part of being here. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. People have been so warm to me and really welcomed me with such open arms.”
Kylie Freeman (Lead Dancer): “This is the first time I’ve main staged a college production and being able to do it straight out of high school as well. It’s such a big jump, but everyone has been really friendly and welcoming.”
Flo Wilkes (Chris): “KMT was the reason I stayed at King’s. Musical theater isn’t my typical singing style at all, but I’ve really come to love it because of the community. It’s really rewarding to put so much effort into a performance and a soundtrack and make it a moment of your life, even though it’s tiring at times. I couldn’t be more grateful for the experience.”
Nicole Fiehn (Producer): “This is the part where I cry! I’ve changed my career path so many times, at one point I gave up and moved back home to the other side of the world. But something in me said there was still a place for me in London. So when I came back to London, I knew I had to pursue this passion of mine, musical theatre. I’m so glad I’ve found my home now.”
Featured image via Ava Satasi