Linzi Hateley is one of musical theatre’s brightest stars, now shining once again as she takes over the role of Donna in the London production of the hit Abba musical, Mamma Mia! The Birmingham-born performer has had a lifetime of preparation for the role, having landed her first part in Annie at the Birmingham Hippodrome at the tender age of 10. Well and truly bitten by the performing bug, she attended the Italia Conti stage school and was offered the lead in the RSC’s Carrie when she was only 17. It famously transferred to Broadway for a short-lived run. Upon returning to England, Hateley went straight in to Les Miserables, where she remaned for two years. Since then her momentum has been unstoppable. She played the Kola Kola bird in Cameron Mackintosh’s Just So at London’s Tricycle Theatre and the narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Palladium, receiving an Olivier nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her efforts. Her performance in the title role of Little Voice at Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre garnered rave reviews for her stunning recreations of the singing voices of legendary chanteuses Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland. She's continued to bring her unique talents to a slew of performances since then, including the parts of Rizzo in Grease at the Dominion, Nurse Fay Apple in Anyone Can Whistle at the Savoy. She also appeared in Romance Romance at the Gielgud, and alongside an all-star cast including Ruthie Henshall and Marti Webb in Sandy Wilson’s The Boyfriend sequel, Divorce Me Darling at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Add to that a return to the RSC in Stratford for The Secret Garden, strutting her stuff in the West End once again as Roxie Hart in Chicago and a part in the very first production of Mary Poppins, and a performer of lesser magnitude might well be tempted to throw up his or her hands and say “Mamma Mia! I need a rest!” But not the indefatigable Hateley. What makes her so lovely? Find out yourself, as we offer you Hateley's answers to your questions! My, my…how can you resist it?
From Sarah: What is you favourite song to sing in Mamma Mia!?
Linzi responds: I think my favourite song is “Super Trouper” because I love doing it with the Dynamos, Jo Monroe and Jane Gurnett. It’s great fun and a good excuse to wear a bit of white lycra, I’d say.
From Jim: Were you a big ABBA fan before you took on this role?
Linzi responds: Honestly, no. I always liked it if I was at wedding or a disco but it wouldn’t be something that was in my collection. Now though I can appreciate it a lot more because actually they write very theatrically, and within the context of the show it works brilliantly.
From Deborah Pettican: Hi Linzi, You played Eponine in Les Mis. Would you be interested to return and play Fantine?
Linzi responds: Well, it has been talked about a few times funnily enough, but it’s just never happened yet. But—never say never!
From Sam Ainsworth: Hello Linzi. I know it's a bit of a cliché question, but I was wondering, if you hadn't become a musical theatre performer, what do you think you would have done as a career?
Linzi responds: God knows. Umm… I’d probably have worked in a shoe shop or something. I love shoes!
From Darryl Childs: Carrie is a show that I love! Some of the music in it is stunning, especially between Mrs. White and Carrie. What are your memories of it and do you think there could be a chance for this show after some rewrites? Would you ever do a concert version of the show? It has a huge cult following.
Linzi responds: Well, I would say that I also thought some of the music was stunning. Whether with re-writes it would actually ever work as a show I don’t know, and half of me almost hopes that it never does because I sort of like the fact that it’s become this huge cult. As for a concert version, there was talk of it at one time when Betty Buckley was in the West End doing Sunset Boulevard. Unfortunately, it never came off and I do think we are all a bit too old now.
From Alex: You've returned to the role of Roxie Hart twice now. Are there any other of your previous roles you'd return to?
Linzi responds: God, I don’t know really. I suppose it’s an age thing, whether I would still be suitable for certain things. I never say never, but I think there was something about Roxie that I felt I could explore for a few goes.
From Carl: Do you regret that a cast recording was not made of Carrie? Do you own any bootlegs? (We won't tell!)
Linzi responds: Yes! I have my own bootleg from Stratford and Broadway. I actually think that quite a lot of other people do as well because it’s become this huge cult thing. I think if you got on the Internet, you would be amazed at the things that are still going around about it.
From Paul: Ms. Hateley, You have such a varied body of work. I was wondering how you decide what show and role suit you. Do you still study singing with a voice coach to keep the voice in shape? I also have all three of your solo albums and can't wait for your next one.
Linzi responds: Thanks for buying the albums! Not sure when the next one will be, but hopefully soon. With regards to roles and shows, I don’t really have a massive choice in it. If there are parts that come along that your agent thinks you’re suitable for then they will put you up for it and hopefully you get it. As for a voice coach, I’ve never had my voice trained.
From Langston: How does it feel to know that you have such a solid fan base?
Linzi responds: Well, very nice if that is the case. It’s always nice to think that people appreciate and respect the work you are doing.
From Felix: You're my inspiration! I've first seen you as narrator in Joseph back in ‘97 in Hong Kong, and loved you ever since. I see you're based in the UK. What made you tour H.K. & Singapore with the show? Did you like it? I have also seen you in Chicago five times, including with Ruthie. What is it like returning to the show so many times?
Linzi responds: I did Joseph in Hong Kong and Singapore because I’d always had a fantastic time on the show and seeing as the opportunity had come up and I didn’t have any major commitments at the time at home, I just thought it was a wonderful chance to see those places. With regards to being in Chicago a few times, it’s always slightly different. I think the first time ultimately is the most exciting because it’s all new to you, but I think