In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

S6 Ep21: Lea Salonga, international theatrical icon

June 17, 2022 West End Frame Season 6 Episode 21
In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame
S6 Ep21: Lea Salonga, international theatrical icon
Show Notes Chapter Markers

To finish off this series, we're joined by Lea Salonga to discuss her return to the UK!

Lea left the Philippines as a teenager when she was cast as Kim in Miss Saigon. She originated the role in the West End and on Broadway to tremendous acclaim, winning Olivier and Tony Awards for her performance.

Lea also has a long association with Les Misérables, having played both Eponine and Fantine in London and New York, including for the musical’s 10th and 25th anniversary concerts.

Just a few of Lea's other theatre credits include: Eliza in My Fair Lady (Manila), The Witch in Into The Woods (Singapore), Grizabella in Cats (Manila), Kei Kimura in Allegiance (Broadway) and Helen in Fun Home (Manila).

Most recently Lea played Erzulie in Once On This Island (Broadway), Grace Farrell in Annie (Hollywood Bowl) and Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Manila/Singapore).

Lea has worked extensively in film and television, and famously provided vocals for the title role in Disney's Mulan I (1998) and Mulan II (2004) as well as for Princess Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin (1994), earning her the official title of a Disney Legend!

Away from the stage, Lea is a judge on the Philippines’ version of The Voice and has sold 19 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Filipina artists of all time.

Lea is about to return to the UK for her second UK concert tour, Dream Again. Lea opens in Leicester on 18th June before visiting Southampton, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Brighton, Canterbury and Glasgow.

She is also performing a very special show at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 28th June. The tour coincides with the 30th anniversary of Lea recording A Whole New World for Aladdin.

For full info and tour dates, visit www.cuffeandtaylor.com.

In this special episode, Lea discusses her return to London, why Miss Saigon was more exhausting than her solo show and the pressure that comes with her role model status.

Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.
@AndrewTomlins32 

Thanks for listening to this series of In The Frame, we'll be back soon for Series 7!

Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk
Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

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(Cont.) S6 Ep21: Lea Salonga, international theatrical icon