Amber Davies (Elle Woods Legally Blonde) Q&A

Q&A with Amber Davies who is playing Elle Woods in the UK tour of Legally Blonde.

How long has the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical been on your wishlist?

For a long time. I've actually been singing the material since college. These are songs that I've always loved to sing and it's always been a dream role. In terms of the trajectory of my career it's one of the biggest female roles in musical theatre when it comes to time on stage and the responsibility of playing her, because the whole show is about her. I feel like the role has come into my life at a good time. You need stamina and you need life knowledge for a part like this, so now is the perfect time for me to play her. If it had come any earlier I would have been too young. Then there's the story itself. It's such a powerful story and I feel so lucky that I get to tell it in my own way.

What's your take on Elle as a character?

She's a force to be reckoned with. She is a woman who is everything. Yes, she's beautiful but she's also intelligent, and women can be both things at the same time. She's so underestimated, and I love her story arc within the show. She's got fire and she's so determined. She's salt of the earth. First and foremost, she is a very loyal, kind friend and I really want to hone in on that. She's a firecracker.

Can you relate to her in any way? 

When it comes to being underestimated, I can definitely relate to her in that way, as well as how she's judged in other ways. People think, 'Oh, she's blonde, so she's not intelligent enough.' I've had to contend with similar stuff. When I first got given a leading role in the West End it was like, 'She's from a reality show, she can't be good enough for the stage.' Although my story is different to hers, I feel like I can actually draw on my own life experiences for this show.

And in what ways are you and Elle different?

She is born into wealth. She is born into a world where probably she would never have to work a day in her life if she didn't want to. I'm from a working class family and I have to work to pay my taxes.

How do you think you'd fare in law school?

[Laughs] Oh my God, I'd be terrible! Anything academic, forget it! I moved to London at 16 because I couldn't sit at a school desk much longer. I had to get up and dance and sing and act.

How did you celebrate when you learned you'd landed the show?

It was just before a performance of The Great Gatsby, so it was the best show I ever did. And the first person I told was my mum. My mum is my rock and she's like my best friend. Luckily she was at my house, so I got to tell her in person. Moments like that are some of my favourites in my career.

Can you recall when you first saw the film and the impact it had on you?

I actually can't remember watching it for the first time; I would have been so young. But it's one of those films that you can watch repeatedly, and it never gets old. I love everything about the movie, from Reese Witherspoon's performance to the fashion aspect of it. With the musical, we're setting it in the modern day and it's like a collaboration of theatre and fashion, which is a dream for me.

Is it daunting following in the footsteps of Reese in the movie and the likes of Sheridan Smith and Courtney Bowman in the musical?

I'm honoured that I'm playing a role that so many incredible women have played before and it's inspiring to follow in their footsteps, but while I have seen so many different versions of Elle and I've loved every single one I'm thinking, 'What can I do differently to put my own stamp on it?' So, I am just going the extra mile to completely humanise her. With the comedy, the script is so well-written and so funny that I don't have to add an extra comedy aspect to it, because I think Elle as a character and as she's written is naturally funny. For me it's about stripping her back and making her as 3D as I possibly can.

It's such a feel-good show, but is there a serious message in there amidst all the fun?

Yes. That's why I love Legally Blonde, because it's funny but it's got heart too. I really want audiences to feel for Elle when they come to see the show. I want them to care for her and I feel like there's such a strong, powerful message in there. It's as simple as 'Don't judge a book by its cover', which happens every single day in life.

How did it feel when you landed your first musical theatre role as Judy Bernly in 9 to 5: The Musical in 2019?

I remember having an overwhelming feeling of 'Yes, I've got my foot in the door ' after doing reality TV. It took me about a year and it was like 'I've done it!' Then it was just down to me to work hard and build a reputation for myself in this industry. I just needed that golden ticket. It felt like a weight had been lifted, but it's so funny because I don't think I realised the scale of the show and how big it was actually going to be because I was so young at the time. It's only since that I feel the pressure.

Are there any other favourite theatre roles on your CV to date?

My favourite job so far for sure has been The Great Gatsby. I absolutely loved the company as a whole and Jordan Baker was such a different type of role for me because I'd usually played the girl next door and she was way beyond that. It meant that I could get my teeth into a different kind of character and I loved it.

Do you get stage fright before you go on and how do you calm the nerves?

Yes I do. I struggle with nerves a lot, especially at the start of a contract when I'm not as familiar with the material. With that first, second or third show you're like, 'Oh my gosh, am I going to make that quick change?' That's when I remind myself that I chose to do this, no-one forced me into it and no-one has a gun to my head, and once I start I'm fine. It's just those few seconds before you're about to step on stage, where you're like, 'Just go.' You have to summon up the courage, then go out there and crush it.

What was your takeaway from doing Strictly Come Dancing last year?

I learnt so much from Strictly about my body and how to move, especially with all the different styles of dancing. And I definitely discovered that I'm mentally stronger than I thought I was. Now I've got a massive extra toolbox filled with knowledge about dancing, and I feel like that is worth its weight in gold in the industry that I'm in.

Legally Blonde marks your fourth UK tour with a show. Is there anything you couldn't be on the road without?

My nebuliser, which you need for your voice, especially when you're touring. Because we stay in different accommodation all the time, you never know if you're going to have a window or air conditioning, and you have to look after your voice. I would also say you need an eye mask, because you never know how good the curtains are and sleep is so important.

What do you enjoy about taking a show around the country?

If there's time I like to explore the town and city I'm staying in, but predominantly we're there to work. And I feel like you build a relationship with the audience in every city, especially if I've already been there with 9 to 5 and then went back with Pretty Woman. Every city offers a different kind of audience.