Through a marketing campaign with Gold Coast radio station 102.9 Hot Tomato, the producer of Mamma Mia! The Musical’s Gold Coast season, Matt Ward Entertainment, hosted a promotion where they went on the search for the Gold Coast’s ‘Sophie Sherridan’.
The successful applicant would ultimately perform on-stage during the entire season in the role, alongside the likes of Jayde Westaby as Donna Sherridan, Leah Howard as Rosie, Emily Jade O’Keeffe as Tanya, Lakota Johnson as her in-story partner Sky, and Sandro Colarelli, James Shaw and Sean Mulligan as their perspective fathers. The successful applicant was Madeline Grice, who is now performing on-stage in the role.
As the season launched, I had an opportunity to pitch a few questions towards Ms Grice. You can read a full transcript of the Q&A interview below:
What has your journey in the performing arts been like to get you here today? What have been your career highlights, favourite shows etc?
My journey in the performing arts started when I was two years old and with highland dancing. I loved the technique and traditional element of it but unfortunately when I moved to Australia there wasn’t a highland dance school near where I was based so I found myself doing tap, Jazz and Ballet. When I was 15, I suffered a sidelining injury that kept me from dance, so I began singing and have been ever since! I also got more into acting but never had the nerve to audition for anything.
You are now well into the show season. How has it been going so far, and what have been some memorable moments so far?
The most memorable moment was my first bow! I have never had a solo bow for anything before and on the first night I even had a standing ovation!
COVID-19 had a tremendous impact on the performing arts industry during 2020. How did you keep yourself busy during the months the shows could not go on?
During 2020 and even in this small lockdown we have just had, I tried to occupy myself with honing in on my skills. I’ve not long gotten back into the industry seriously and there is so much to learn. There are a lot of amazing online resources for teaching yourself new things.
Hypothetically, with no limitations, let us say you were given the opportunity to fill another character’s shoes for one night… who would it be any why?
I’d play Donna! (I’d borrow Jayde Westaby’s voice for the night if I could too) She’s such an amazing character and she’s got some of the best ABBA songs!
What drew you to Mamma Mia! And made you audition for your role?
When I was 5 my mum went to see Mamma Mia! and gave me a copy of the soundtrack. It was my first real introduction to the concept of musicals. I also grew up with a single mother, so I always gravitated to the story. When the movie came out, I got the DVD for Christmas and played it so many times I drove my family nuts. When I initially saw the audition and that they were specifically looking for a Gold Coaster, I thought why not just apply… could be good audition experience if I want to get back out there (little did I know…) haha!
What is your favourite moment and favourite song in Mamma Mia!?
I absolutely love Dancing Queen! Sophie isn’t in that number, so I get to watch it from my dressing room every night! I love to dance around to it to get pumped up for the rest of the show.
A huge thanks to Madeline Grice, Matt Ward Entertainment, and the team at M10 Collective for their time and effort in making this Q&A possible!
Interested in seeing Mamma Mia! The Musical on the Gold Coast? Tickets are still available for the season which will run until 11 July 2021. For more information and to book tickets, click HERE.
