We’re really excited for another year of terrific theatre at the Grand Opera House York, and one of the fantastic shows making the list is Fame: The Musical. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this all-singing, all-dancing musical, based on the original 1980s film, follows the lives of the students at New York’s High School of Performing Arts. Playing Miss Sherman, the English teacher, is musical sensation Mica Paris – who’s also celebrating her own 30th anniversary since appearing on the UK music scene. We heard from her about her thoughts on the role, the show, and performing…
“Like most people, I grew up obsessed with it when Fame came out,” Mica said. “We were all glued to it. It was such an honour when they asked me to do be involved. I play Miss Sherman, the English teacher who tries to help Tyrone – an exceptional dancer and a boy with huge potential. She tells him to stop blagging his way through acting and dancing – and that he needs to have an education. “It’s really well cast for me. I have got two kids and I am very good at telling them off!”
This powerful musical promises a little more grit than fans of the pop culture phenomenon might be used to.
“It’s a little bit darker, and that’s what’s quite nice about it,” Mica says. “Don’t give me too much shiny Hollywood crap. It’s gritty, but with heart and soul. It’s real and not just sweet. That’s what is wonderful about this show: the darker element stops it being twee, and the kids in it are so organically fresh and wanting to be great at the beginning of their lives. That’s such a nice thing to see. And they are all so talented! Then you’ve got the old timer – me – going in and doing some craziness.”
But Mica doesn’t have a problem with being the older cast member. Quite the opposite.
“I love that I am always the oldest. I love being around young people, and they keep me so on point with stuff. We can all get a little bit samey in our little bubbles. The kids break you out of that and keep you fresh. They stretch me, y’know? That’s why I like collaborating, and I learn so much, too.”
Fame shows the students finding their way through issues that are real and affect us all, such as prejudice, literacy, sexuality and perseverance. And of course, you get to hear Mica sing.
“One of my songs is These Are My Children, and that is a proper gospel song. I have reworked it a little bit and it sounds really powerful – there is a church vibe. You’ve got to feel stuff, and it doesn’t matter if you are religious or not. We’ve got to give people feeling with stuff – from the music, to the voice, to the dialogue – it has got to resonate somewhere. That’s what is exciting – that instant feeling you give the audience. I live for that.”
This is Mica’s sixth musical, and she’s noticed a change in theatre audiences since she first started. “When I first started, the rich and the posh went to the theatre. Now? Everyone wants it. And musical theatre sells more tickets than pop concerts.”
She also sees similarities in some of her characters. Miss Sherman, for example, has hints of Mica’s role as Mama Morton in Chicago. “I said to the director, ‘Here I go again, playing the feisty chick.’ And he said, ‘Mica, you do it really well and that’s why we want you to do it.’ I said ‘Okaaay!’ And I really do enjoy it.”
Variety is the spice of life that keeps Mica fresh and focused. She still releases records, has carved out a career on the small screen, and is a celebrated Radio 2 presenter. She’s lively, chatty, and oozes confidence.
Well, that’s how she comes across. But in reality she feels somewhat different: “I am nervous all the time,” she admits, “I am a walking disaster, and should go around with wet-wipes and a nappy. I am always crapping myself! But I don’t allow the fear to stop me. You never stop being nervous, because you always want to be good and you want to touch people and make them like what you do. We are all insecure artists at the end of the day, and we live for you guys liking us.”
Mica’s really excited to take to the road with Fame: “It’s really nice to have this take on an old story. It’s so modern and I am very excited.
“Being on the road is wonderful because it makes me even more disciplined,” says the health-conscious lady, “You have to do eight shows a week, so it forces me to stay fit. For me, wealth is health – and I’m a bit obsessed about that.”
Catch Fame: The Musical at Grand Opera House York, starring Mica Paris, Hollyoaks’ star Jorgie Porter, and Any Dream Will Do star Keith Jack, from the 4th to the 9th March. Click here to book tickets.
Add a comment