INTERVIEW

Natalie’s dream role in Dreamgirls

Pics: Matt Crockett

Multi-award winning musical Dreamgirls makes its Milton Keynes debut in January as part of its first ever tour of the UK, and the cast features a familiar face; MK actress Natalie Kassanga. Natalie talked with Pulse’s Sammy Jones about her burgeoning career.

The first time Natalie appeared on the MK Theatre stage, she was among an ensemble of ‘sewer kids’ in a touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Fast-forward a little longer than a decade, and Natalie is back, starring as Deena Jones in the altogether more glitzy Dreamgirls. In the movie version, that role was taken by Beyoncé. She is following in the footsteps of music royalty and it’s fair to say this is a dream role for our girl.

“Absolutely. Dreamgirls was a huge part of my childhood,” the 24-year-old actress tells me during a break from rehearsals, “I remember watching the film for the very first time back in 2006, when I was nine-years-old, and being in such awe of what I was seeing and hearing.

“It really inspired my love of music...”

Dreamgirls tells the story of three talented young singers, the Dreams, back in the turbulent 1960s. It was a revolutionary time in American music history, and ticket-holders will follow Effie, Lorrell and Deena as they embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business. It’s a journey that also tests their friendships to the limit.

The show has some great big musical numbers like Listen and And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going, but it tackles some heavy subjects and comes with a weight of responsibility for its cast.

“It does carry a lot of weight,” Natalie agrees, “There is a lot of responsibility to portray the story in the correct way, but also in a way that audience members can take away the history, and an understanding of how pop culture works, and of the experiences American artists encountered back in the 60s to the late 70s; the struggles they faced to be seen, heard and accepted.

“It’s not just about the glitz and glamour, the outfits, the music and the fame. It’s about manipulation, and adjusting to what you think is right for you, and seeing the struggles they go through as a family,” Natalie says.

“Dreamgirls have grown up with each other, especially Deena and Effie. They both share the same dream, but they let this man come in between them, and Deena especially loses her way in the industry and doesn’t see where she belongs anymore.

“Finally finding her ground and her voice within the show is something extremely powerful and very inspirational. It’s very educational,” she says, “It does definitely show discrimination and the lack of equality in regards to people of colour and black music and trying to cross it over to the pop charts. It was extremely difficult to win over the white stations and white listeners.”

Natalie grew up listening to the vocal prowess of icons including Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Diana Ross, and now she’s playing a role said to be loosely modelled on The Supremes vocalist.

But it’s not the first time. Natalie previously enjoyed a turn as Diana Ross in Motown: The Musical, too. How did it feel landing that role?

“I can honestly say to you that I never ever would have seen that coming – to be playing a lead, but not only that, to be playing an iconic artist. It’s not a character and isn’t based on fiction, it’s a big responsibility I never thought I could achieve.

“I’ve been raised in a family who taught me to be humble, and to never see myself as anything bigger than I am, and to be given the

opportunity to put myself in Diana Ross’ shoes was amazing...and I’ve gone and bloody done it!” she says with an excited laugh.

Does she feel a certain affinity with Miss Ross?

“She stays with me wherever I go,” giggles Natalie.

The nature of her work means Natalie is frequently in London, but her roots are here in the new town, and she still commutes daily from her home in Bletchley.

“Coming home really takes me out of the lifestyle of being in this industry, it takes me away from the noise and the drama, and puts me back into reality. It humbles me.

“Rather than Oxford Circus and Bond Street I can just go to MK1. I love that. London is my second home, but to come back to MK to be with my family and my friends helps me to stay grounded.”

And though her career is going from strength to strength, this actress isn’t about to be swept up by the industry nonsense.

“As cliché as it may sound, the best advice I was given was, ‘Remember where you came from and remember those who made a huge contribution to your career.’ It’s very easy to forget your core background, and forget those that helped you get where you are today - and that’s not just family, it includes teachers, friends and those who were a part of your training.

“That was honestly the biggest advice and I’ve never forgotten that.”

... the best advice I was given was, ‘Remember where you came from and remember those who made a huge contribution to your career.’

Natalie, who made her West End debut as a 10-year-old, starring as Young Nala in The Lion King, took what she calls ‘a diversion’ in her career a few years ago, stepping on board The X Factor juggernaut in 2015, competing as part of the girl group, Alien.

“The X Factor was something I always wanted to be a part of. I always think everything happens for a reason, and think I needed that detour.

“Taking that time out, and being in that experience reminded me that my love for musical theatre is a lot heavier than the music industry,” she says, although her Spotify playlist reflects her passion for r&b, soul and pop, and she admits she hasn’t kicked the door shut on a music career forever.

But with the X-Factor experience behind her, Natalie wanted to reconnect with her first love. She didn’t even have an agent when she bagged that aforementioned role in Motown: The Musical.

Natalie Kassanga stars as Deena Jones in Dreamgirls at MK Theatre

“When I was told I would be playing the role of Diana Ross my response was, ‘Are you sure?’” Natalie remembers, giving credit to renowned casting director Pippa Ailion, “She really saw something in me and believed in me.”

Dreamgirls is a plum job with the tour rolling right the way through to 2023. And then? The sky’s the limit.

“I mean, who knows, you might see me as Tina Turner! Who bloody knows?” Natalie laughs.

“It’ll be good to branch out of that spectrum and to do something to have that full circle moment – being back in The Lion King as older Nala would be amazing,” she considers.

Natalie’s passion for musical theatre is obvious, but it has taken her a while to understand what others have long seen in her. Dreamgirls has finally given her that self-belief: “I always said to myself that I would love to be a Dreamgirl,” she admits, “To land a second leading role confirmed I am meant to do this. This is my life and I am loving it...”

> Dreamgirls plays at Milton Keynes Theatre from January 25 to February 5, 2022. Visit atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes to book.