Interview: Heavenly role for Alexandra Burke in Northampton

Alexandra Burke does seem to have cornered the market in playing divas in peril.
Alexandra Burke in Sister ActAlexandra Burke in Sister Act
Alexandra Burke in Sister Act

After around two years in the role of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, she is now playing a second equally iconic character on stage.This time around though, it is a lead role that requires a slightly lighter touch in the shape of Deloris Van Cartier, the sassy singer who witnesses a gangland murder and is placed out of harm’s way in a convent. It comes to Northampton's Royal & Derngate from Monday March 27 to Saturday April 1 and Alexandra admits she took a little bit of persuasion to bring Deloris to life.She recalled: “The producer Jamie Wilson offered me the role and I actually wasn’t too sure about saying yes although it was a fantastic opportunity. I didn’t know if I was made for the role. I think it is a confidence thing.“I was the same when I was offered The Bodyguard. Again, it was an issue about me not having enough self-confidence.”But Jamie gave her the soundtrack, script and the film to watch while she mulled over his offer.She said: “I watched half the movie and I listened to the soundtrack and it was actually the soundtrack that made me say yes. The songs are just so beautiful and I thought it would be a privilege to sing them.”Alexandra also believes this stimulates her in lots of new ways. The mix of comedy and drama in the musical, as well as the challenges her character faces, made it a role she felt she had to take.She said: “Deloris is a very interesting character and very different to Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, but I am looking forward to taking on this journey and this new adventure because it is an honour to play her.“It allows me to be even more open than I was playing Rachel and playing this role means I have to just let go and allow myself to trust my instincts.” Alexandra was keen not to copy Whoopi Goldberg in the movie.She said: “I always want to put my own spin and my own interpretation on anything that I do because everyone has different ways of bringing a character out of them regardless of what role they are playing.“In fact, I have deliberately not watched the whole movie.”Tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 01604 624811 or www.royalandderngate.co.uk. Joanne Francis will play the part of Deloris at matinees.