Erma in Anything Goes
Sheffield Crucible 2015
Johan Persson
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"Alex Young is irresistibly exuberant as the woman who can’t get enough of sailors."
- Susannah Clapp, the Observer
Being a bit of an old soul, I've always wished that rep theatre was still a real thing. Where you would spend a year at a great theatre, playing a variety of parts in a variety of productions from Shakespeare, to Golden Age musicals, to new pieces. I managed to somewhat achieve that dream during 2019-2020 (BC - Before Covid), by basically going up to the Crucible Theatre in April 2019 and not leaving until I was forced by a global pandemic to return home just shy of a year later.
I had the heavenly pleasure of originating the role of Poppy in Chris Bush and Richard Hawley's Standing at the Sky's Edge - an epic and beautiful story about the Park Hill estate in Sheffield. It broke my heart and mended it again, and I felt enormously honoured to have been a part of it. It was directed by the dearest Rob Hastie, who then very kindly asked me to play Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls at Christmas. Sarah's a role I never thought I'd play, but I'm so glad I did. She's magnificent. Merely weeks after sitting down and rocking a boat, I couldn't believe my luck when Rob asked if I'd like to be part of the company for Coriolanus
playing Brutus. A finer and dearer group of people I'm yet to meet. Gutted that we were so cruelly cut short by the Coronavirus, however, I suppose it has at least given me time to finally sit down and update my website.
Photos, of course, by the ever excellent Johan Perrson
Me and My Girl, Chichester Festival Theatre
Well stone me, what a beautiful summer I had playing Sally Smith at Chichester Festival Theatre in Me and My Girl. It was utter heaven to be reunited with Daniel Evans and Alistair David having worked with them both on Show Boat and Anything Goes at The Crucible. I adored being in Chichester. It's a stunning theatre and a very happy building.
Working alongside Matt Lucas, Caroline Quentin and Clive Rowe was also the biggest treat.
Was incredibly lucky to be photographed once again by Johan Perrson. That makes four shows we've done together. Some of his beautiful photos are here for you to enjoy.
6th September FOLLIES Opens at The National to stupidly lovely reviews
Well, there we go. After what felt like a lifetime of rehearsals (a very challenging but thrilling 10 weeks from first day to press night to be exact), we have finally shared our very special show with the public, and we couldn't be more overwhelmed and delighted with the response from both the audience and the press. I don't think I've ever been part of a show that seems to have such a huge impact on those watching it. It's a beautiful show with moments of joy and euphoria, but at its heart it's a deeply distressing story about regret and the need to reconcile with the past, and I perhaps naively, didn't realise how moving and troubling an audience would find it. Our director Dominic Cooke has told us that we have to really go through it each night - as difficult and distressing as that is; and I find myself feeling quite grateful and sympathetic towards the audience afterwards, but it's equally very special and moving, as I feel we go through it together, all uninterrupted 2 hours 15 minutes of it. I feel so unutterably lucky to be part of it, and I just can't wait to perform it every night. Apologies in advance for any emotional trauma you experience!
Production photos by the ever excellent Johan Perrson.
The Stage Debut Awards
The Follies ghost gang have been asked to perform at these excellent awards on Sunday 17th September. Adam, Fred, Zizi and I will perform our quartet "You're Gonna Love Tomorrow / Love Will See Us Through", and we can't wait for the free food and wine, and obvs to be at these exciting awards.
Read The Stage announcement here, if you fancy.
Upcoming Gigs
Live at the London Cabaret Club
I'm really happy to performing alongside my favourite Follies ghost friend Zizi Strallen and a few other dear friends on Sunday October 10th at the London Cabaret Club in aid of the charity 'Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis'
You can find out more and book tickets here
Sunday at the Musicals
Equally pleased to be part of this fabulous evening at The Actors Church in Covent Garden, in aid of Marie Curie UK on Sunday November 26th
Find out more on their Facebook page
FOLLIES, In Rehearsal at the National Theatre
6th August, 2017
We're just going in to our last week of rehearsals before heading into the theatre.
It's a remarkable piece, and much more challenging than I even anticipated. Our director Dominic Cooke is not letting us get away with anything, and pushing us all to uncomfortable but amazing places. Young Sally is unlike any part I've ever played: super intense, emotional, and just a little bit scary. Loving her. Learning buckets from Imelda and the astonishing cast. Particularly happy that the fellow ghosts, Zizi Strallen (Young Phyllis), Fred Haig (Young Buddy) and my dear old pal Adam Rhys-Charles (Young Ben) are so ludicrously lovely and brilliant. Feeling very lucky indeed.
Rehearsal shots by the wonderful Johan Perrson.
Guest Host on Sunday Show Tunes, July 2017
Had an ace time guest hosting Sunday Show Tunes with the jolly Paul Branch. You can catch up with my show here
I play some great tunes and talk about my warm breasts, whats not to love?
Ludicrously excited and privileged to be joining the company of Stephen Sondheim's 'Follies' at the National Theatre this summer.
I've wanted to work at the NT for such a long time, and to be in a Sondheim there is just tops. As if that wasn't lovely enough, I'll be playing Young Sally to astonishing Imelda Staunton's Sally. V happy girl.
I'm totally thrilled to have been invited onto the judging panel for this, the most sibilant award in show business, the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year Award. Wowzers.
I benefitted no end from winning this award back in 2010, and I'm so excited to see these up and coming acting singers.
The rest of the panel consist of the completely brilliant Julia McKenzie, Edward Seckerson, Rachel Kavanaugh, Janie Dee, Giles Terera, Dan Gillespie Sells and George Stiles & Anthony Drewe.
You can read my guest blog on the SSSSPOTYs on broadwayworld.com
Spring, 2017
I recently finished playing Carrie in Carousel with the ENO chorus and orchestra conducted by David Charles Abel at the London Coliseum, directed by Lonny Price, with choreography by Josh Rhodes; working alongside Katherine Jenkins, Alfie Boe, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Gavin Spokes, and the most wonderful company and I don't think I've ever been happier.
Alex Decides to Build a Website
B - I - G - N - E - W - S - Big News!!
I have resisted making my own website for a few reasons, the idea of having one kinda makes me cringe; I never quite knew how to pitch it - detached third person, or self important I am, I have, me me meeee.... ; but moreover I didn't know, and still don't know, if anyone would be remotely excited about 6 odd web pages with my face all over them. But hell, caution thrown into that wind, and for better or worse, here we are. Will try not to sound like a stagey idiot whilst letting you know what I've been up to.
Thanks for popping in. Al x
