I Should Be So Lucky: The Stock Aitken Waterman Musical arrives at the Wales Millennium Centre from 27 November – 2 December featuring the soundtrack of a generation with music from pop royalty including Kylie Minogue (I Should Be So Lucky), Rick Astley (Never Gonna Give You Up), Jason Donovan (Too Many Broken Hearts) and Bananarama (Love in The First Degree).
Originating the role of Bonnie in I Should Be So Lucky: The Stock Aitken Waterman Musical is Kayla Carter, previously seen in UK tour’s of The Color Purple and Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Kayla recently took time out to chat to Andy Howells about I Should Be So Lucky.
What’s I Should Be So Lucky about?
It’s about a bride who gets jilted at the altar. Her family and best friends say, “Well, why don’t we go on your honeymoon? Just like as a girl’s trip.” We all fly to Turkey, then the groom essentially regrets his decision and chases after her. It’s the fight to get her back with the music of Stock, Aitken and Waterman.
Did you grow up knowing the music of Stock, Aitken and Waterman?
I knew the famous songs, I Should Be So Lucky, Venus. You Spin Me Round, Better The Devil You Know… so, quite a few of them. Then there are some that I had never heard of my life, like the song I sing, which is Sonia’s You’ll Never Stop Me Loving You, I’d never heard that before, but I love it!
What’s the part you’re playing.
I’m Bonnie, often referred to as the bridesmaid, (Ella’s best friend). I’m right there on her side, I’m “Team Ella”, the whole show. What’s really nice is that you’ve got a lot of characters in the show and they all have their own storyline. So, you sort of see Bonnie’s own romantic story develop through the show as well, which is nice.
How did you get into theatre?
My parents are musicians, so I grew up surrounded by music. My mum worked with the Spice Girls, so I was just a little toddler surrounded by music. Then they started a theatre school, so I was lucky that I got literally trained in it from quite young.
Did you always want to come into show business?
I wanted to be a paramedic for a long time, and then I realized to have to deal with blood. And I just thought, maybe not. I sort of fell into it, but now I don’t know what else I would do. It’s turned into my life.
I understand there’s an on-screen contribution from Kylie Minogue in I Should Be So Lucky as well.
Kylie does make a few appearances throughout the show. I love it, it’s so brilliant, she’s amazing. She came into rehearse with us as well. Meeting her was just incredible. She is the loveliest woman, tiny, just the most energetic woman ever!
Have you met any of Stock, Aitken and Waterman yet?
Mike Stock and Pete Waterman have been a huge part of the process, they’ve been in since the launch event. They’re constantly checking on us and giving their opinions (Laughs) they’re both great!
Do you think they are liking what they are seeing, because you’ve got a bit of a musical heritage that you’re carrying onto the stage, haven’t you?
Yeah, I mean they tell us they like it! (laughs)
I hope they do. I think it’s been interesting for them to see their songs in a new way, because obviously they are such famous songs, they’ve only ever been done as they were. For instance, my song is completely changed to how it was! It used to be an up-tempo song, and I sing it as a ballad. They said they’d never even thought of it like that, but they love it. It’s cool.
Have you done any productions outside of I Should Be So Lucky?
My most recent job was The Color Purple UK tour, and before that I was in Bedknobs and Broomsticks, the Disney show and Rent in Manchester.
That’s quite a contrast, how do you compare this show to what you’ve done before?
Like nothing I’ve ever done (laughs) It’s an honour to originate a role in a musical and what comes with originating it. I decide who Bonnie is really, Debbie our director and creator of the show so wants our own opinions on it. Bonnie is effectively me. I think that’s the difference between the other shows I’ve done is this character is the most me I’ve ever been. Everything I say is something I would say, so I kind of don’t feel like I’m doing much work sometimes (laughs).
From the rehearsal photographs, you all look like you’re having a ball.
Honestly, it’s so much fun. There’s not a day that we don’t all laugh in this show, it’s just chaos! There’s a lot of surprise elements, I don’t want to give anything away, but things fly about, some would say dangerous slightly (laughs). No, it’s not, it’s fun, I love it!
What do you hope people will take away from the show?
As I mentioned before, with so many characters, you get to know deeply through a short time , everyone represents someone in the audience. I don’t think you would come and think, “Oh, I can’t see myself in anyone there. So I just want people to feel seen, and to feel like “Bonnie is me, and I deserve love, too,” that kind of thing. On top of that, just to have a night of pure escapism and laughter, there are emotional bits, but you can’t not laugh at the show. I don’t believe it!
Is the musical rooted in the 80s or is it set in the present day?
The show is set in 2023, really, modern and the songs just somehow really work. It’s very clever, I think the way they’ve done it.
And you’re visiting Cardiff?
This will be my third year in a row performing at Wales Millennium Centre. I can’t wait, it’s one of my favourite theatres. Every time people are like, “Oh, we’re going there. So yeah, I love it. I’m excited.”
For ticket availability visit Wales Millennium Centre’s website.