Julian Ovenden and Gina Beck Interview
Julian Ovenden (Emile) and Gina Beck (Nellie) reprise their roles from the critically acclaimed, landmark Chichester Festival Theatre production of South Pacific, coming to Leeds Grand Theatre in November.
Written by Ellen Carnazza
This production of South Pacific, directed by Daniel Evans and choreographed by Ann Yee, was a huge hit at the Chichester Festival Theatre. What is it that makes this revival special?
Gina: Daniel Evans has a way of directing these sweeping, epic, legendary musicals in a way that makes them feel like they were written yesterday. He keeps them classic and with all the parts in place that you would expect from a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, but no moment is wasted, every single moment is cleverly thought out to bring new relevance to a modern audience.
Julian: There are many reasons that it’s worked, not least the fact that we, cast and audience alike, were desperate for theatre to return in the summer of ’21. The show’s themes also resonate strongly with a modern audience; isolation, racism, occupation, war, gender politics, agism etc.
Julian Ovenden as Emile de Becque and Gina Beck as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. Credit Johan Persson.
Can you briefly summarise the plot (without spoilers)?!
Julian: I would say South Pacific is complicated romance set amidst the backdrop of the Second World War. It is by turns moving and funny, provocative and searching.
Gina: We meet the members of the United States Navy who are stationed on an island in the South Pacific. They’re waiting for the war to reach them, and the isolation and the long repetitive days have made the men (and women) hungry for the things they’re missing. I play Nellie Forbush, a nurse, who has fallen in love with the slightly mysterious French plantation owner Emile de Becque who has a dark secret from the past and other secrets on top of that! We watch their romance blossom but there are a few stumbling blocks along the way.
Gina Beck as Nellie and Julian Ovenden as Emile in South Pacific. Credit Johan Persson.
South Pacific features a fantastic score by the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein. How would you describe the music, and do you have a favourite number to perform and/or watch?
Gina: The music is unforgettable, the score is absolutely incredible, and features hit after hit, a set list of some of the most famous songs in musical theatre history. One of my favourite songs to watch is Bloody Mary as the stage becomes alive with men all singing and dancing their hearts out! My favourite song to perform is A Wonderful Guy as I get to bring Nellie’s exuberance and joy out through this fantastic song.
Julian: It is unquestionably one of the great scores. It manages to combine rhapsodic, thrilling melody with searching, sometimes burning lyrics. One is lulled by the beauty of the songs whilst being ambushed by their meaning. I love the chorus numbers especially. They inject a real energy and fever into the drama which is very important.
The company in South Pacific. Credit Johan Persson.
If you could be in any other Rodgers and Hammerstein musical what would it be and why?
Julian: I love Carousel. I like the complexity of Billy Bigelow. And the music is stupendous.
Gina: Later on in my life I’d like to play the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music or Nettie Fowler in Carousel – those older women who get to sing those incredible torch songs Climb Every Mountain and You’ll Never Walk Alone.
South Pacific is much-loved both as a movie and a staged musical – first performed in 1949. Why does the show still resonate with audiences today?
Gina: Well, unfortunately, because we still live with the same issues of racism today. There are still people who think people of other races are less important than people of their own. We find the show holds up a mirror to us and challenges us.
Julian: The characters in South Pacific are forced to confront their identity not only on the island but in the world at large. With Brexit, climate change and the war in Ukraine, perhaps we are all doing that too here in the UK.
Julian Ovenden as Emile de Becque in South Pacific. Credit Johan Persson.
Are there any particular venues that you’re looking forward to performing at on the tour – any special connections to the area?
Julian: It’s great to take it to all corners of the British Isles. I think this kind of show resonates with a particular generation of course, but it is also nice to introduce it to a younger audience who are genuinely amazed at how much it still speaks to us.
Gina: I’m looking forward to touring the UK and visiting Dublin again. It’s been a long time since I’ve been over there and I can’t wait! I’ve never toured the UK before so it’s going to be a fun new experience.
Is there a piece of advice you’ve received or that you would pass on to anyone hoping to go into the creative industry?
Julian: So much but if I were to distil it – everything you need to succeed is within you.
Gina: Be kind. Lead by example. Work hard, stand up for others less fortunate than you, earn peoples respect by respecting them. Get to know the backstage staff, they’re always the nicest people.
Gina Beck as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. Credit Johan Persson.
South Pacific starring Julian Ovenden and Gina Beck is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 November. Book tickets now.
