Interview

Claire More

by Phil Willmott
29/09/2005

Les Miserables will have been running for twenty years in October so it seemed a good excuse to interview one of its current stars - Claire More, part of a new cast which the producers claim is their best yet. She's a very good person to talk to about reasons for the show's enduring success because she first appeared as the doomed mother Fantine and now, ten years later she's back, this time playing the roguish Madame Thenardier.

Q: Has the production stayed in shape?

A: Oh yes, it's still the wonderful show I remember and we have an excellent resident director who really makes sure standards are maintained.

Q: How does it feel graduating from the romantic lead to the comedy lead?

A: I'm very happy with the change because ten years have passed. In between I've had two kids so in fact it would have been odd if I was still the same person that I was as if I hadn't moved on in my life. Actually it's wonderful to play a part where you don't have to look fabulous. For this role I never have to worry about what I look like or what shape my voice is in when I wake up in the morning. Also Fantine can be quite a lonely part to play. You have this huge emotional journey that ends with her death in the first twenty minutes of the show and then you don't come back on until the end, so it's sometimes hard to feel part of the team.

Q: You're playing opposite Barry James aren't you?

A: Yes and that's a real pleasure. One of my first successes, back in 1983, was playing Audrey in the original London production of Little Shop of Horrors and Barry played Seymour so it's great to be back together again.

Q: Why does Les Miserables work so well as a piece?

A: It's a lucky combination of things. The great music, obviously, but the writers have also done an amazing job of condensing Victor Hugo's novel without losing any of its richness. Of course the staging is first class but it's also great that the emotions are so honest. It's about really fundamental things like heroism, unrequited love and doing what's right and that's always going to strike a chord with audiences.

Q: How did you get started in the business?

A: Well, I was studying Opera at the Royal Northern College of Music when I had a series of lucky breaks. First a student friend of mine had a musical piece broadcast by Granada TV and I was able to play the lead and then I appeared in a new musical at the Edinburgh festival. It got me thinking that this was the type of singing I could enjoy doing.

Q: In a way when "Les Miserables" first opened it was closer to an opera then the musicals London was used to.

A: That's right, it's through song, has big emotions and a sweeping musical score.

Q: What happened to you next?

A: My big break was the chance to play Audrey that I mentioned and the wonderful opportunity to be part of Ian McKellen's company at the National Theatre. I got to appear in some terrific straight plays like Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound and The Cherry Orchard.

Q: And then back in the West End you were part of some legendary original productions.

A: I was so lucky. I was in the original Phantom Of The Opera alternating the role of Christine with Sarah Brightman and then I was one of the original leads in the premiere of Miss Saigon.

Q: Are there any parts left you'd like to play?

A: Well, I'd love to do some Sondheim.

Q: What about the great leading lady roles from Broadway in the 1950s and 60's in shows like Mame and Hello Dolly?

A: Oh yes, that would be great, wouldn't it?

Q: Any advice for young people joining the profession?

A: Well go for it; don't let anyone dampen your determination. At school I had to lie to the careers teacher. Once in a class I pretended to want to teach and at the end he said he was really glad that no one had any silly ideas about being on the stage.

Q: Well you showed him.

A: I did. And the other thing is to learn your craft. I think the instant fame of shows like Pop Idol can be dangerous and those fast track careers are very short lived if you don't have the talent to back it up.