In The Spotlight - Sarah Hender
How long have you been performing in showsI've always loved singing and being on stage - right from the word go! I was a little drama queen at primary school and loved being the centre of attention. I always wanted the starring role in all the school plays! My first being Little Red Riding Hood when I was about 8. My love for performing (especially singing) has only grown since then.
What got you interested in music / theatre
I took a more serious interest in musical theatre when I got to high school. It was around this time that I went to see my first show in the West End, which was Les Mis and I was hooked. I got involved in the school drama/singing club and took part in shows and concerts. As my confidence grew and I was told I had a half decent voice I started having singing lessons and more opportunities to perform came from that. I stil love to go and watch shows as well as being in them and I think i've seen Les Mis four times now and never tire of it!
What was your first show
Aside from doning a red cape and playing Little Red Riding Hood as a kid, I'd say my first proper show was 'Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat' at high school. I was in the chorus and loved every minute of it!
What has been your favourite show and/or character and why
I joined the Concordia Youth Theatre in Hinckley when I was 15 and in my first show I was given the main part of Dorothy in 'The Wiz' (a updated version of The Wizard of Oz). It was loads of fun so that will always be one of my favourites even if my outfit was more than a bit dodgy. I also enjoyed being one of the pink ladies in Grease when I was 18 because I love the film and everyone who was in it made it really fun to do. Yet again however I was blessed with another dodgy costume choice in the form of a big blonde wig that had a complete mind of its own!
What has been your most embarassing or funniest moment in a show
I'm sure their are lots of embarrasing anecdotes in the back of my memory somewhere but unfortunately not much comes to mind at the moment. The only one that I remember right now is performing some scenes from Cabaret in a concert and my fishnets got caught on the chair I was dancing on and I had to struggle to free myself - making a fool of myself whilst creating a very large whole in my tights for the rest of the performance.
Describe the best and worst costumes you have had to wear
Well, I'd have to say the wig mentioned previously takes the biscuit. It would not stay on my head properly, I looked more like an old granny than a young pink lady...and by the last night it resembled a cross between a small straggly poodle and a mop. Needless to say we had a ceremonial cremation after that.
If you could choose any show to perform in, what would it be and why
I would love to play Kim in Miss Saigon as I love the music and the songs and probably know it all off by heart already! I always wanted to have a go at being Fantine in Les Mis too and the Narrator in Joseph. In fact, I'd like to be in loads of shows, playing characters with great singing parts!
Do you have any plans to pursue theatre as a career
When I was doing my GCSE's and A levels at school, at the back of my mind I longed to pursue a career in music theatre. However, I've always been ruled by my head rather then my heart and didn't consider it a wise move with all the competition and talent out there. Also, I've always been a bit of a wuss and didnt have the courage to move away to go to drama school when I was that age. I decided instead to keep doing it as a hobby and pursue teaching instead to pay the bills.