When did you know that musical theatre was your calling?
One day, when I was nine, my primary school teacher told my mum to enrol me in Nomads, the theatre group in Newmarket, where I grew up. At the time, I also did cricket as a hobby, but when I started doing cartwheels in the field, I realised I should probably pursue performing. My love of musical theatre came from singing, and then acting and dancing were skills I adopted.
Did you always see musical theatre as a career option?
There is nobody else in my family who works in theatre, so I didn't really know if it was sustainable or doable as a career. I studied Dance, Drama and English at Sixth Form, and then interviewed for a number of drama schools; I ended up doing a foundation course at Mountview.
What did you take from your foundation year?
Some people turn their nose up at foundation courses, but I found it really useful. I learnt so much, and the last half of the final term leans towards helping you audition again. I went back to some of the places I auditioned for before, and many of them had seen a change in me as a performer. I definitely wouldn't have got into ArtsEd to study Musical Theatre if I had not done that foundation year.
What has been a highlight of your career so far?
What I am doing now – playing Heather McNamara in Heathers. My graduation from ArtsEd was also the opening night of Heathers, when I played the part of a swing. At the time I was in the ensemble, I also second-covered the three Heathers in the show. I re-auditioned for the part I have now when the show announced its UK tour. Going from second cover to a central role on the road was a big pat-on-the-back moment for me.
What does your day-to-day schedule look like currently?
It's quite full on. We do three mid-week matinees and five evening shows, meaning we end up doing eight shows within five days. We travel on Mondays, on Tuesday we do a tech-run around 2pm, and then have a show at 7.30pm. Wednesday and Thursday are double show days, and on Fridays we have cover rehearsals. Because I am the dance captain, I lead those rehearsals. Ultimately, though, you are getting paid to do what you love, so I can't complain!
HF: Do you have any rituals or vocal warm-ups you do before you perform?
BB: I always siren five times from the bottom to the top, really slowly and lightly. What you are taught at drama school is that you don't need a massive warm-up. You need, instead, to get yourself articulating and get your larynx moving; but to warm-up your voice, five sirens really work. That is what I do before auditions and shows.
HF: What is one thing you didn't expect about the world of musical theatre that you have found out on-the-job?
BB: One thing I found was that there are lots of hugely talented people out there. There are so many people who could do the role that you are playing now, and the challenge is just to be yourself. It is so important to be a nice person, because people need to want to work with you.
HF: What is your biggest tip for young people who want to pursue a career in musical theatre?
BB: The biggest one, and what I had to keep telling myself, is that you just can't give up. You have to want it, and you have got to believe that you can do it, because no one else will get you there. Everyone says ‘don't give up’, and it's true. You have to stick to what you are good at and work at it, but make sure you are doing it for yourself and nobody else.
