{ Q + A }
huge thanks to caroline for agreeing to answer this! please do not post any of these answers anywhere else; this is after all a q+a specifically done for this site!!
Full Name: Caroline Laura Keiff
Date of Birth: 12-06-1981
Place of Birth: London
Q: What’s Your Favourite Wicked Song?
A: ‘The Wizard and I’ as it’s full of innocence and optimism.
Q: If you weren’t your character, who would you like to be?
A: Erm... the lion cub?!
Q: What’s it like playing Nessarose?
A: Great – albeit with a much lower perspective.
Q: Which character would you wish to play in a future production?
A: Glinda… Elphaba… maybe the Wizard??!
Q: Does it feel weird signing autographs?
A: Very!
Q: Which of your costumes is your favourite?
A: My ‘ballroom crossover’ dress which is basically just a scene change after the Boq/Nessa scene in act two. It almost fulfils my dream of being in a period costume drama!
Q: What is the sweetest thing someone’s ever done for you at the theatre/stage door?
A: My Emerald City bear from you!
Q: Do any of your ensemble characters have name?
A: Yes – I’m called Fifi – after my French beret!
Q: When did you first decide you wanted to be an actress/singer?
A: Started dancing aged 3, amateur dramatics about 9 and knew since then!
Q: If this wasn’t your career, what do you think you would be doing instead?
A: Well, I was thinking of taking a Physics degree, but now I think I’d like to be an architect.
Q: What one person would you really like to work/perform with?
A: Judi Dench.
Q: What has been your favourite role to date?
A: Sally Bowles in ‘Cabaret’.
Q: Do you still stay in touch with other people you’ve worked with in the past?
A: Absolutely!
Q: What is the absolute highlight of your career so far?
A: The first time I played Nessa, with Idina Menzel, and Jennifer Aniston & Vince Vaughn in the audience sitting just behind my parents!
Q: Have you got any advice for anyone who is interested in a career in theatre/acting/singing?
A: Develop a very thick skin!
Q: How did you first hear about Wicked?
A: I was doing a play and my friend Chris Rankin, who plays Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter films, played me the CD and I loved it!
Q: Who is the best friend you’ve made whilst working at Wicked?
A: I’ve made many good friends, I couldn’t possibly pick just one!
Q: What’s your favourite scene in Wicked?
A: Under the bridge, just before “I’m Not That Girl”, with Elphaba and Fiyero. It’s visually very pretty and I find it’s innocence and hesitancy very touching.
Q: Are you more of a Glinda or an Elphaba or even a Nessarose in real life?
A: We’re all probably a little of each character – which is why the story is so well loved; but if I had to choose – Elphaba (I’m not cool enough to be Glinda!)
Q: Common question, I know, but if you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?
A: A phone with endless battery life so I can speak to my loved ones, Shakespeare’s sonnets and a guitar (if a boat was out of the question!)
Q: What was the last CD you bought?
A: India Arie.
Q: Are you reading a book at the moment?
A: I always have a few book at a time: The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver and Rupert Everett’s Autobiography Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins. In addition to the mandatory weekly edition of The New Scientist ... because I’m a geek!