Full Interview with Wendy Mae Brown from Ghost the Musical

Originally posted on Avenoir Magazine, in May 2016.

We got the opportunity to talk to the amazing Wendy Mae Brown before opening night of Ghost the Musical, and here’s what she shared.

You’re originally from Britain, yes? Which part?

I’m from Britain, yes, I’m from London.

What made you decide to come to Australia to pursue this role?

Well it was a job. I did the UK tour of this at the end of 2013, same role. With an all-English cast, then we went onto China and the next logical step was Australia. Some Australians came to see it in China and liked it, and that’s how I ended up playing Oda Mae here. My work took me here.

You have an interesting connection with your character, as you are both ‘Mae Brown’s’.

I know, talk about being born to play a role. It’s just a sheer coincidence. 

Your character is Oda Mae Brown, How does she develop throughout the show?

Well she starts out as a phony psychic, or so she thinks. It is one of those unexplained things. Though I like to think that it was Sam’s desperation, his need to contact Molly, because the story is that he has died and Molly is now in danger. And he wanders around in desperation and he stumbles across many of these fake psychics, $10 to read your palm sort of thing. But he just happens upon Oda Mae, whom I like to think is by this point a bit bored, she goes into her act easily “yes, you’re going to meet a tall dark gentlemen.”

But for some strange reason she can hear Sam, and then it’s on. The whole thing starts. We don’t know why she can hear Sam. It’s just the power of love, his need for her to help him, and then they go on this incredible journey. At first, she thinks she’s going mad, then she starts believing him then she grows to love him, and she wants to help him. She actually puts her life in danger for this ghost that she can’t see. 

Is it difficult acting like you can’t see Rob (who plays Sam)?

She can’t see him and it’s quite hard to play that onstage. You’re not allowed to look at each other, but we did that a lot, we looked at each other a lot during the early rehearsals. But it’s a mistake all Sam’s and Oda’s make. Because naturally, when you’re talking to someone, you want to look at them, so I make him here somewhere (peering upwards and to her left), so that the audience can see that he is somewhere in the back. 

Do you have a favourite song or dance sequence? And why?

I think ‘Believe’; I only sing two really. ‘I’m Outta Here’ is quite nice, but it’s not my favourite. ‘Believe’ which is the intro song, is where you are introduced to Oda Mae and her sisters. It’s my favourite because it’s gospel-y and a surprise. The song takes you out of the grey streets of Wall Street. All of a sudden, you’re downtown. Where it’s all colourful and Spanish, with Latina babies crying and there are all sorts of noises and confusion and along comes these three sisters, doing their act.

How long have you been playing Oda Mae Brown?

About two and a half years. But not consecutively, I went off and did South Pacific; I played Bloody Mary and did a bit of film. Then I came back to it around China and then went on.

How did you get into theatre?

Believe it or not, I was a dancer. I was a dancer years ago in choruses and everything like that. Then I found out that I could sing, so I ended up just working my way up.

I’m original cast Mamma Mia, I played understudy Rosie. I’m known for performing in Rent, my breakout role was Joanne in Rent. But this is really the role of a lifetime with Oda Mae. So, I’ve just been a steady climber. I’ve done lots of little shows; I did Kiss me Kate for Trevor Nunn just before Ghost the musical started.

What is your dream role?

I think I’ve done them all in the West End. But on TV I would probably want to be in one of those shows like CSI or SVU and play a forensic expert, or a funny sidekick, something like that.

You’ve had a career on the British stage and television; do you have a favourite role?

I did Come Dancing, I don’t know if you’re too young to remember Ray Davies and The Kinks, Waterloo Sunset. That was lovely. I played an Etta James character, which was nice. It was set in the RnB world of the 50s, where this white man loves black music and he wanders into a club and hears me singing. So that was a nice one, it was based on Etta James’s story. 

What is the toughest part of performing?

Keeping healthy, especially when you’re on tour, because you’re eating at strange times, and you can’t eat too close to the performance. Matinees are a nuisance because you have to work out when you can eat, how long to digest it, can you sleep before the next show. So, I often find that when the first show is done I eat right away, so that I can sleep and have it all digested. It’s just about maintaining your health, that’s the hardest part of a show. My voice is tired now because we’ve been doing a lot of publicity, and that’s another thing, so I’ve just got to keep quiet. 

What’s do you love most about performing?

Being live and hearing people respond. I’ve done a lot of film and TV and it’s just not the same. The audience gasps; they laugh, and cry, especially in this show. The sobs, I’ve never heard anything like it. I think that’s because of ‘Unchained Melody’, we get a lot of people who have been married to that song. But it’s the live aspect of theatre, knowing that you’re touching people immediately.

What’s your schedule like during performance season?

Eight shows a week. In Australia, it seems to be a bit more difficult. Two shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and one on Sunday, so the end of the week is heavy. So, you’re sort of resting through up until Wednesday, so that you can gear yourself up.

How do you take time for yourself?

I try not to talk; ironically, I try to not talk. It’s hard because if you’re in a country like Australia you want to sight-see, if I do I have to go very early in the morning so that I have time to rest. I’m always resting by about 4 o’clock; I’ll take a nap.

How do you think Ghost the musical compare to the film?

Oh my god! this is better. It’s better because it’s more colourful, Oda Mae sings, she dances, and she wears a pink suit. You see the ghost live; you see things you cannot imagine. I mean he walks through doors, ghosts fly all over the place. It’s all thanks to Las Vegas illusionist, Paul Kieve. 

How does the Australian cast compare to previous casts of the show?

I think Rob is one of the best Sam’s. He really is, he’s very laid back, and he’s got a very Patrick Swayze-esque thing about him. The thing that makes it hard to choose is that Ghost the Musical ensembles tend to be very young and very hard working, but you’ve got to be to do all the stunts. Because they’re ghosts, they fly through the air, so they’ve got to be energetic. But I’ve loved them all, and Jemma Rix is just amazing as Molly.

What is the most memorable moment of your career?

Meeting the Queen I’d say and Hey, Mr. Producer! The show is dedicated to Cameron Mackintosh. I did a little shot with the original lady, Ellen Green, and then we all lined up and met the Queen. It was great, she was lovely, had lovely skin.

Any advice for young stars wanting to get into theatre?

Learn from the best, don’t just watch little video people, watch old Hollywood films. Watch the Betty Davis’s, the dancers like Gene Kelly, all these sort of people, because they are rounded characters. I think nowadays its all X Factor and one second you’re a star. Learn from the best and know who the best people are. Go to theatre and watch what’s happening.