Behind the Curtain: An Interview with Muriel's Wedding the Musical star Stephen Madsen
- Harry Brogan
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
In this Behind the curtain interview we speak to star of the UK premiere of
Muriel's Wedding the Musical, Stephen Madsen Ahead of the shows opening next week at Leicester Curve Theatre.
For those who aren’t familiar can you tell us what Muriel’s Wedding the Musical is about?
Muriel’s Wedding is about a misfit ABBA mega-fan who escapes a difficult family and the oppressive milieu of suburban Australia to live her dream life in Sydney. Chaos ensues.
You play Alexander Shkuratov, can you tell us about your character, and what is the best and the hardest part of playing this character?
Alexander is a Russian swimmer hoping to compete on the Australian Olympic team. To make this possible, his trainer conspires to marry him to an Aussie. The best part of playing Alex is getting to speak P.J. Hogan’s dialogue (P.J. directed the film and adapted his screenplay for the stage version). The hardest element is the exercise required to look the part.
You have been with this show since its beginning when it first played its world premiere down under in Australia in 2017. What was the reception like to this show and what changes have been made to this show since 2017 for the UK audience and in general?
The show was a hit back home but our creative team are constantly improving it with new music, jokes, and choreography. This iteration has a new set, and we’ve clarified a few Australianisms so the audience won’t get lost. The running time has also been trimmed - people catching a train home can breathe a sigh of relief. Large parts haven’t changed since the initial workshops; there was plenty of gold from the outset.
Tell us your first experience of theatre? How did that make you feel? And what was it about that particular experience that made you want to perform?
The first play I remember seeing was Peter Pan which blew me away, but I already wanted to be an actor. Watching films took care of that early on. I had a highly active imagination; I think that’s all it takes.
With this show being based on the 1994 film, what should fans expect from this adaptation?
The show captures the humour and heart of the film. Audiences can expect the classic moments, lines, and ABBA songs but the action has been transplanted into the present day so expect some surprises too.
How well does the music for this show translate the story to the stage?
Kate Miller-Heidke (an Australian pop icon, look up her Eurovision performance) and her partner Keir Nuttall have written original songs that are catchy, funny, moving, and intelligent. Their quirky sensibility marries perfectly with the tone of the film.
As one of the cast members that has been with the show's journey since the start, how does it feel that you are bringing the show over for its UK premiere?
Muriel’s Wedding is an iconic piece of Australian culture that I’m proud and excited to share with the UK. We love it and I’m sure audiences here will too.
What would you say are the differences, reaction wise, between Australian and UK audiences?
I haven’t performed here yet, but the reactions of the UK cast and crew during rehearsals have felt similar. I think we have a shared comic sensibility; maybe it’s a Commonwealth thing.
Favourite part of the show?
I’m biased but I love the swimming pool scene. The music and choreography in that number is so unique and exciting. I’ve never seen a similar sequence on stage.
Describe the show in one sentence or three words.
This is what it feels like to laugh and cry simultaneously.
Muriel's Wedding plays at the Leicester Curve Theatre until the 10th of April
Comentários