After almost three years in the witch musical "Wicked", British singer Emma Hatton (33) recently made her debut as Eva Perón in "Evita". We spoke to her about her musical highs and her private life.
How is Emma Hatton feeling shortly after the "Evita" premiere in London? - "The show is still very fresh and new to me," she says happily. "And Eva Perón is a very demanding role that many personalities have already played. The character is sometimes vulnerable, sometimes strong. I have to emphasize both. It's a very complex personality."
The former sports athlete, who can easily take on a five-hour London Marathon for a good cause, knows how to assert herself. She first auditioned for the title role of Evita around nine months ago - and was accepted after three rounds of auditions.
Spicy food? No thanks!
"My sporting know-how benefits me as a musical actress," she says. "I understand how my body works, for example. But I also train often, make sure I get plenty of rest and eat the right food. I have to be careful with spicy food in particular, as the spices weaken my voice. In my private life, I like Italian food, drink lots of water and eat fruit. I also really like chocolate - so Switzerland comes in handy."
A strenuous stage life
Nutrition plays a particularly important role in regular musical engagements: "If I have to sing and dance a show at 7.30 pm, for example, I've usually eaten by around 5 pm. With two shows on the same day, I have to watch what I eat. For example, the big show number at the very end in Buenos Aires requires full physical exertion."
Vocal monument
With "Evita", the writing duo Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice have created a monument to the Argentinean president's wife Eva Perón and her radiant beauty, stylish appearance and charisma. The classic song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" is the acoustic signature: "Even people who don't normally listen to musicals know this song. This makes it all the more challenging to not only perform this song, but also to present it in a convincing way. The song should really get under people's skin."
Searching for new freshness
Hatton also experiences this "getting under your skin" personally whenever she plays a character over a longer period of time. And yet: "Even if you play a role for several years, you have to conjure up a new freshness every evening. I played the "Wicked" witch Elphaba for almost three years. The role is so big. But I always discover something new in her. Even though the play is predetermined. What's more, a character grows on you at some point. The same journey of discovery awaits me now with Eva Perón."
EVITA
25. to 30.4.17, Theater 11 Zurich
11. to 16. 7. 17, Musical Theater Basel
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