Izzy: What got you interested in acting, is it something you always set out to do?
Emma: I always wanted to be a ballerina. It was my dream since I was very small, but I failed my Royal Ballet auditions in the later rounds. Dancing was always a passion that took me into amateur dramatics as a kid, then into singing and subsequently acting.
I: What would you have done if you were not an actress?
E: I was planning to be a translator and my university place was to study Interpretation and Translation of Medieval and Modern Languages. But I took a gap year before I went and then ended up getting [a part] in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - so I never studied that degree in the end. (I did an Open University degree in English Literature over 6 and a half years, I eventually graduated in 2013.)
I: Your voice is absolutely amazing! Did you work really hard to get it like that or did it come naturally without training?
E: There's always a degree of natural ability with anything that people have a talent for, but it did, and still does, take a lot of training and hard work. I began training my voice when I was 14 and did all my grades and many music competitions. I still train with my vocal coach in Yorkshire when I get the chance.
I: What training did you have if any?
E: I did all my singing grades up to Grade 8 and was studying for my music diploma when I got Chitty. I also did all my dance exams (ballet, modern, jazz and tap). The only thing that I haven't really had any formal training in is acting as I didn't go to drama school. It's meant I have had to work very hard and learn from every job and every person I get a chance to work with. You never stop learning.
I: How do you prepare for a show?
E: Each show has its own set of requirements for preparation but basically: eat well, sleep well, rest enough and enjoy every minute!
I: Mrs Henderson was a brand new musical and you had to originate the role of Maureen. How is that different from being in a musical where your character has been previously established by someone else?
E: To be honest, most of my work has been originating roles and it's great because you get a chance to really explore different ideas for a character until you settle on the right one. That's not to say I wouldn't love to do some take overs. There are so many great roles out there that I'd love to have a chance to put my own interpretation on. I think that taking over a role is probably much harder.
I: Maureen in Mrs Henderson and Helen in Half a Sixpence are very different characters. What do you enjoy about each one and why?
E: Every character you play has different facets to make them enjoyable. My favourite thing about Maureen was her development throughout the piece, becoming slowly bolder and more confident - it was fun to play. Helen is great in a different way. She's so reserved and restrained but deep down she just wants to enjoy herself. She's a tragic yet unmelodramatic role.
I: What are the biggest challenges of playing Helen and what were the biggest challenges of playing Maureen?
E: The most difficult thing with Helen is keeping the balance between her loving, gentle side and the prejudices of her own nature caused by her place in society and the time the piece is set in.
The biggest challenge of Maureen had to be the nudity, but that was a personal body confidence issue rather than anything else. Nudity is hard. Learning to acknowledge, accept and love your own body isn't something that comes naturally to many people I don't think.
I: Do you prefer straight acting or acting in musical theatre?
E: I don't think there is any difference personally. It's all acting at the end of the day. There's this misconception that straight acting is always naturalistic and musical theatre acting always over the top. It's not at all true, it all depends on the piece of theatre you're watching.
I: What hobbies do you have other than acting?
E: I run, read and write. A lot of each. I also love a good jigsaw for relaxing.
I: Do you play any musical instruments and if so have you ever been in a play as an actor-musician?
E: I play terrible flute and rather dodgy banjo now! I've played basic guitar in shows before and learnt to play some piano for Love Story, albeit on a sound-deadened piano. I once played flute in a restoration comedy whilst in a corset, enormous wig and dress and stuck up a ladder. I vowed never again after that!
I: You have won a WhatsOnStage award and been nominated for four Oliviers, but what would you consider to be you biggest achievement?
E: Still working after 15 years in the West End. This industry can be brutal, particularly on women as they get older. I sincerely hope I'm still doing this in another 30 years, let alone 15.
I: As a successful actress what advice would you give to any budding actors and actresses?
E: Work hard, don't ever stop trying to learn more about your craft and always challenge yourself. Do things outside of your comfort zone, push yourself to your limits and don't be afraid to try new things.
There are opportunities in everything.
I: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
E: Treat everyone with respect.
I: What things do you wish you had been told before entering the industry?
E: There will be times when you think that you'll never get another job, or that you're hopeless. Stay strong and seek help if you need it. Also, learn about taxes when you're self-employed. Being financially secure is a must in such a sporadic industry.
I: What do you think of the industry?
E: I love this business. You cant do it if you don't. I'm extremely grateful to be a part of it.
Emma: I always wanted to be a ballerina. It was my dream since I was very small, but I failed my Royal Ballet auditions in the later rounds. Dancing was always a passion that took me into amateur dramatics as a kid, then into singing and subsequently acting.
I: What would you have done if you were not an actress?
E: I was planning to be a translator and my university place was to study Interpretation and Translation of Medieval and Modern Languages. But I took a gap year before I went and then ended up getting [a part] in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - so I never studied that degree in the end. (I did an Open University degree in English Literature over 6 and a half years, I eventually graduated in 2013.)
I: Your voice is absolutely amazing! Did you work really hard to get it like that or did it come naturally without training?
E: There's always a degree of natural ability with anything that people have a talent for, but it did, and still does, take a lot of training and hard work. I began training my voice when I was 14 and did all my grades and many music competitions. I still train with my vocal coach in Yorkshire when I get the chance.
I: What training did you have if any?
E: I did all my singing grades up to Grade 8 and was studying for my music diploma when I got Chitty. I also did all my dance exams (ballet, modern, jazz and tap). The only thing that I haven't really had any formal training in is acting as I didn't go to drama school. It's meant I have had to work very hard and learn from every job and every person I get a chance to work with. You never stop learning.
I: How do you prepare for a show?
E: Each show has its own set of requirements for preparation but basically: eat well, sleep well, rest enough and enjoy every minute!
I: Mrs Henderson was a brand new musical and you had to originate the role of Maureen. How is that different from being in a musical where your character has been previously established by someone else?
E: To be honest, most of my work has been originating roles and it's great because you get a chance to really explore different ideas for a character until you settle on the right one. That's not to say I wouldn't love to do some take overs. There are so many great roles out there that I'd love to have a chance to put my own interpretation on. I think that taking over a role is probably much harder.
I: Maureen in Mrs Henderson and Helen in Half a Sixpence are very different characters. What do you enjoy about each one and why?
E: Every character you play has different facets to make them enjoyable. My favourite thing about Maureen was her development throughout the piece, becoming slowly bolder and more confident - it was fun to play. Helen is great in a different way. She's so reserved and restrained but deep down she just wants to enjoy herself. She's a tragic yet unmelodramatic role.
I: What are the biggest challenges of playing Helen and what were the biggest challenges of playing Maureen?
E: The most difficult thing with Helen is keeping the balance between her loving, gentle side and the prejudices of her own nature caused by her place in society and the time the piece is set in.
The biggest challenge of Maureen had to be the nudity, but that was a personal body confidence issue rather than anything else. Nudity is hard. Learning to acknowledge, accept and love your own body isn't something that comes naturally to many people I don't think.
I: Do you prefer straight acting or acting in musical theatre?
E: I don't think there is any difference personally. It's all acting at the end of the day. There's this misconception that straight acting is always naturalistic and musical theatre acting always over the top. It's not at all true, it all depends on the piece of theatre you're watching.
I: What hobbies do you have other than acting?
E: I run, read and write. A lot of each. I also love a good jigsaw for relaxing.
I: Do you play any musical instruments and if so have you ever been in a play as an actor-musician?
E: I play terrible flute and rather dodgy banjo now! I've played basic guitar in shows before and learnt to play some piano for Love Story, albeit on a sound-deadened piano. I once played flute in a restoration comedy whilst in a corset, enormous wig and dress and stuck up a ladder. I vowed never again after that!
I: You have won a WhatsOnStage award and been nominated for four Oliviers, but what would you consider to be you biggest achievement?
E: Still working after 15 years in the West End. This industry can be brutal, particularly on women as they get older. I sincerely hope I'm still doing this in another 30 years, let alone 15.
I: As a successful actress what advice would you give to any budding actors and actresses?
E: Work hard, don't ever stop trying to learn more about your craft and always challenge yourself. Do things outside of your comfort zone, push yourself to your limits and don't be afraid to try new things.
There are opportunities in everything.
I: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
E: Treat everyone with respect.
I: What things do you wish you had been told before entering the industry?
E: There will be times when you think that you'll never get another job, or that you're hopeless. Stay strong and seek help if you need it. Also, learn about taxes when you're self-employed. Being financially secure is a must in such a sporadic industry.
I: What do you think of the industry?
E: I love this business. You cant do it if you don't. I'm extremely grateful to be a part of it.
Emma is currently starring as Helen in Half A Sixpence