Neha Eapen, a Leeds Conservatoire Musical Theatre Graduate, has recently been cast in a production of Cinderella.
The production will debut at Leeds' Carriageworks Theatre from 25 November. We spoke to Neha about her excitement for the upcoming role, her future career aspirations, as well as her thoughts on her training at Leeds Conservatoire.
Hi Neha, can you tell us about your upcoming role in the pantomime at The Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds. What can audience members expect?
For my pantomime-debut, I will be playing the role of Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. She is a grand character with fancy dresses and magic up her sleeves. I can’t wait to show everyone what she’s all about! You can expect a tonne of comedy for all ages, both new and old songs to sing along to, fabulous dance numbers, and above all, an incredibly entertaining night!
So, how did you go about getting the role?
With the wonderful help of my agent, Alan Mehdizadeh, I received a self tape request regarding the role of Fairy Godmother. I had two scenes to tape, one of which was a monologue, and a couple of songs to sing to show off my vocal ability. It was hard to not re-do the same scenes over and over again as I can be a bit of a perfectionist, but when it came down to editing the videos, I always preferred the first ones anyway!
What are you most looking forward to about performing in the pantomime?
One of my favourite things about performing is seeing how happy you can make the audience, and with a show as up-beat and entertaining as this, I’m sure I’ll see many big smiles! Working with a group of talented and dedicated actors makes our job so much more enjoyable, and I can’t wait to get started!
How do you think your training at Leeds Conservatoire has helped to prepare you for this project?
Leeds Conservatoire always pushed me to be myself and assured me that everything else will come naturally. I’ve made some incredible genuine connections with folk from all over the industry and I feel so much more comfortable navigating what can sometimes be a very intense and overwhelming space. I know that I will enter this project as prepared as I can be because of the tips and wisdom passed down to me by my closest teachers. Even when my mind feels scattered by the hectic nature of this industry, I know that everything will work out because this is what I’ve been trained for.
You also worked on The Not So Grimm Twins with Wrongsemble in the summer. What was your favourite thing about being involved in this production?
Working with Wrongsemble was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had! I had an incredible team of creatives and actors with whom I built a close rapport with. Together, we were able to achieve our unanimous goal - to create a piece of art that made all ages think and laugh. Seeing and hearing responses from audience members as young as 3 made me realise that all the hard work we put in had paid off. Knowing that a bunch of travelling performers could have such a huge impact on our audience and each other, was the best feeling I could’ve asked for!
Neha alongside her co-performers in The Not So Grimm Twins.
Your musical theatre repertoire currently spans across family theatre, is this an area that you’re keen to explore more?
Definitely! Although it wasn’t what I initially had in mind when graduating and signing with my agent, it has been so rewarding seeing how much joy and openness you can invoke in all kinds of families. That is something I am very passionate about and keen to push further. Whilst I’ll also be looking to expand my repertoire into more gritty texts, tv and film, and potentially more actor-muso or movement based work, I know that I’ve found a home in family theatre!
Looking back at your time at the Conservatoire, what would you say you most enjoyed about studying here?
One of my favourite aspects about this course comes down to the people. I was very fortunate to have such a supportive and open cohort with whom I still keep a close bond with. Having so many other creative courses at the conservatoire, there was ample opportunity to mix with other minds and expand my boundaries of creation and expression. I was able to truly find my feet and explore myself as an individual and as a performer in a way that I don’t think I could have done elsewhere. It has brought constant joy and curiosity which is something I will be eternally grateful for!
Finally, what advice would you have to offer an aspiring Musical Theatre student?
Be ready to be open and explore things you didn’t necessarily know you had in you! Try to enter new classes and teachings without negative preconceptions, as the more you explore and sillier you feel, the more you’ll get out of it. This is the perfect time to push yourself and figure out what makes you a special and unique individual within this crazy industry!
Update: Congratulations to Neha for winning Best Early Career Newcomer at The Pantomime Awards 2023 linked to this production. Find out more
