S11 Ep13: Desmonda Cathabel, star of Hadestown, Rosie, Disney’s Aladdin & Miss Saigon

Desmonda Cathabel has just finished her run as Eurydice in the West End production of Hadestown.

She’s now in rehearsals to star as Lily Turner in Rosie: A New Musical. The show will be performed as a one-night-only semi-staged gala at the Adelphi Theatre on Tuesday 17th March.

Rosie tells the true story of Miss Rosie Boote, who was raised in a convent in Ireland and dreamt of becoming a star on the West End stage in Edwardian London. The show has book, music and lyrics by Chris Broom.

Desmonda is from Indonesia and came to the UK to train at the Royal Academy of Music. She won the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year in 2022.

Desmonda was a quarter finalist in the ITV casting show Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. Her theatre credits include alternate Kim in Miss Saigon (Sheffield Crucible), Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin (UK & Ireland Tour) and From Here To Eternity (Charing Cross Theatre).

Desmonda performed in Maria Friedman’s solo show at Crazy Coqs and the Menier Chocolate Factory, and was later directed by Maria in the star-studded Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends concert.

Recorded the morning after her final performance in Hadestown, in this episode Desmonda discusses what it was like to say goodbye to the show and what playing Eurydice meant to her.

She also delves into how she came to be involved with Rosie and why she loves new work, plus her path through the industry so far, Asian representation in theatre, reflections on Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream and lots more.

Rosie plays the Adelphi Theatre on Tuesday 17th March. Visit www.rosiethemusical.com for info and tickets.

This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins

@AndrewTomlins32

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