Chatting with the One and Only Samantha Barks!
Kevin Ray Johnson
It is my honor to introduce you to Samantha Barks! Samantha recently starred on Broadway originating the role of Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman: The Musical! You may also recognize her as Eponine in her 2012 film debut Les Misérables which also starred Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean. Her performance earned her many nominations including the Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer, the Elle Style Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, and the London Film Critics Award for Young British Performer of the Year, just to name a few!
Other stage, film, and TV credits for Ms. Barks include Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Les Misérables (Eponine; West End & 25th Anniversary Concert), Chicago (Velma Kelly; Hollywood Bowl), Oliver! (Nancy; UK Tour), Honeymoon in Vegas (Betsy Nolan; London Palladium), Chess (Florence; Umeda Arts Theatre, Tokyo International Forum), Groove High (The Disney Channel), The Christmas Candle, Interlude to Prague, For Love or Money, and Bitter Harvest, among many others!
In 2021, Samantha will be starring as Elsa in Disney's Frozen on the West End at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Samantha's performances in film and on stage have been praised by many all over the world, and with a dedication to her craft, a wonderful attitude, and a voice that will blow you away, I honestly feel that all the amazing things Samantha has accomplished so far are only scratching the surface of everything coming her way. To this day, I think her portrayal of Eponine in the film and on stage perfectly captures the heartbreak of the character.
It is an honor for my 100th interview for OnStage Blog to feature such a phenomenal actress who has truly left her mark on the stage as well as in film and television. Here is the one and only Samantha Barks!
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be on the stage and perform?
I have always loved performing and was singing and dancing as soon as I could walk and talk! It was always just something I enjoyed rather than something I thought of as a career or even something I was good at. I was possibly 7 or 8 years old when I was actually first in a show (playing the colour green in the rainbow!), and I just loved every second of it and knew it was going to be a big part of my life!
Are there any mentors in your life who truly helped you become the amazing artist you are today?
There are so many people along the way who I have to thank for me getting to do what I do. I definitely had a wonderful drama teacher when I was at high school, Mr. Craig, who encouraged my love for acting and always supported me!
Also, someone who I am forever grateful to is my friend David Holland who was the MD of my first musical theatre show The Isle of Man when I was 14. He then became my singing teacher, and we went on to make an album together. I think his belief in me as a singer gave me the confidence to pursue it as a career!
We are living in some unprecedented times in the world. For all artists (especially stage performers), it is definitely a time of uncertainty. What has your everyday routine been like during Quarantine, and what are some things you do to keep your spirits up?
My lockdown routine has been super chill! I am certainly not up early every morning doing a work out with a green smoothie!! I know for some people during this time, keeping busy is what makes them feel calm, but for me, I am enjoying the opportunity to relax and be creative!
I have been making candles and painting and catching up on all the TV shows and films I had wanted to watch! I think it’s all about what brings you peace during these crazy times!!
Your career has been so wonderful and has truly inspired me and many others. Are there any shows or performances that you have done in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to your heart?
Different shows are near and dear to my heart for different reasons! Pretty Woman was my last show, and getting to Broadway with that show will always be so special to me! Les Mis changed my whole life, so that will always be special!
Doing Chicago at the Hollywood bowl was a one-off experience I will never forget. That venue is just out of this world, and playing Velma Kelly was always a dream of mine!!
What advice would you give any aspiring artists in these challenging times?
I think my best advice would be first and foremost to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself. We are all in the same boat, and there is something quite calming about that idea. I also think you should use this time to do the things you didn’t have time for when the world was normal! Learn a new song, read a play, whatever keeps your creative side flowing!
Check out this Frozen promo video introducing London's Elsa and Anna - Samantha Barks and Stephanie Mckeon.