This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Amy Di Bartolomeo: My name is Amy Di Bartolomeo, and you're listening to Eleven, the official theatre podcast.

[0:16] William J Connolly: Hello and welcome to Eleven, the official theatre podcast that brings the biggest stars and creatives together in one place to discuss life in the arts. She's the Olivier nominated West End leading lady that's currently originating the role of Emily in the London stage debut production of The Devil Wears Prada, the musical, at the historic Dominion Theatre, alongside her fellow cast including Georgie Buckland, Matt Henry, and THE Vanessa Williams. So what's it like originating a role in a monster stage adaptation like this, having co-stars including the likes of Queen Vanessa, and even auditioning for one of the greatest musical icons of all time, as he pens the music for this screen to stage transfer?

Well, let's find out, as here, in an exclusive conversation direct from her home, we talk all things The Devil Wears Prada, the musical, including finding new life away from the movie, belting out this new score, and why breaking the fourth wall is actually secretly joyful, if not a little scary the first time. Plus there's talk about completely trusting her genius director, Mr. Jerry Mitchell, being brave enough to test out new things on this musical for her boss, the man himself, Sir Elton John, and why this Olivier nomination for her is a life-changing new chapter, as she strives to believe in herself more. You want to know how to survive at Runway? I've got the comedy queen and belting goddess all rolled into one who's here with all of the answers direct from the magazine. It's the remarkable talents of Amy Di Bartolomeo, here now on this, the next episode of Eleven, the official theatre podcast.

[1:56] William J Connolly: Please help me welcome to this, the next episode of Eleven. Well, she's the West End leading lady that's currently teaching us a few lessons in fashion, as she brings to life one of the most iconic roles to ever grace the screen, now live on stage. I'm talking fashion, belting, and comedy, she really does have it all. To many, she has a birth name, but to me, and only me, she'll forever be referred to as Emily. So, hello Emily, how are you?

[2:20] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Emily, I'm really good, how are you honey?

[2:23] William J Connolly: I'm really good, I'm so glad we're doing this. I should say, as much as I want to call you Emily constantly, and probably are about to, and you're gonna be like, this man is saying it again, you've cast the lovely, lovely, beautiful Amy, so I promise I will use your correct name through this, but does that word just go through your head all of the time? Is there ever a time when you're not slightly, just a little bit, 1% of Emily?

[2:42] Amy Di Bartolomeo: No, it's you, it's you that's been texting me this. It's you that brought it to my attention mid-75 interviews one day, and you're like, all I could hear in the background, Amy, of the souls of you doing your interviews is, you can't say Emily, you can't say the name Emily without saying it as Emily. But honestly, no one else has brought that to my, it's just, that's a mere new thing babe. I'm very happy for that to be honest, but you do, and what's so funny is that you, I could tell you genuinely didn't know you were doing it, but yeah, I was like, but it's so together, and like, so in character, and so perfect, and beautiful, but also fucking hysterical, I couldn't stop laughing at it, and I was like, I don't know if she's fucking with me or not? Like, it's just great, it's just so beautiful, I just love it.

[3:26] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Oh, I love it, I love you, this is great, it's beautiful, it made me howl when you messaged me, oh god, and now, yeah, so whenever I think of you, I see capital letters, Emily.

[3:35] William J Connolly: I think I've actually genuinely called you Emily more times than I have been like, hi Amy, how are you?

[3:39] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Yes, definitely, definitely, definitely.

[3:42] William J Connolly: So as people may be able to tell, just in the interest of great honesty, because I think it's a good thing, we do know each other, this isn't going to be me trying to probe you on all of the things about surface level stuff, so I want to get to know you properly in this episode. I also want to celebrate you, and before we do anything, I know you're going to probably put your hands over your eyes and be like, please tell him to stop talking, but you know what's coming, congratulations, you are unofficially an actual Olivier nominee for the role we're about to talk about. Has this sunk in yet, that you are genuinely, you've done it, babe, it doesn't matter what happens from here, you've done it.

[4:12] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Yeah, I genuinely, look, crying, I genuinely still can't believe it, and I still can't really talk about it, I 100% still can't say the sentence.

[4:24] William J Connolly: Oh god, just like that, huh? Just straight, straight, straight in there, yeah.

[4:30] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Um, even just talking to you now, it's just, I'm living, I'm floating, I'm really floating, and the other day we had the luncheon, and um, the whole Piccadilly, I just, people keep asking me like, oh my god, how are you feeling, and I'm just, it's all just gone too far now, and I'm, I'm, I'm either going to wake up, or it's too much, it's just completely overwhelming, and I am, the only word I can think of is I'm just so honoured, like, I'm so honoured, it's just something that I didn't think could happen for me, I, you know, big, big dreams, big dreams, and we're all, we've all got them, we're all allowed them, and it's just, it's just something that I've always looked up to and thought, wow, it's that black background with those gold, gold text, that font, I'm like, it's so untouchable, not in a bad way, and just a, so prestigious, so posh, it's just amazing, it's, I either feel like I'm talking about someone else, or I'm, yeah, I'm just gonna wake up in a minute, it's, I speak, I'm still speechless, honestly, still speechless, it's, it's, it's overwhelming, and I'm just honoured, like I said, it is, it's, it's such an honour, and I am made, I'm so made, that, that, yeah, wow!

[5:57] William J Connolly: I feel like that's the perfect response, and do you know what, I feel like that's the most real response as well, because I feel like everybody does genuinely dream about the chapter that's just come into your life, that they want to create an original role, and an original musical, they also want the opportunity to hopefully be celebrated by an audience at best, and then when it goes higher than that, for it to be like an industry thing, for your peers to see you, and to celebrate you, I, I feel like this is probably one of the most real responses I've had to people that have been fortunate enough, not only just to be nominated, but to win, so thank you for being honest with that, because I think it's, I think it's important that we acknowledge that when we, when, I say we, like I've never been nominated, like when you get nominated, yeah, we, like it's, it's fucking crazy, and it's insane, and it probably won't ever become normal, and I do want to say, obviously, for like the two people in the world that maybe haven't picked up on this, you're, of course, playing the extraordinary Emily, I'm going to keep saying it like that, in The Devil Wears Prada, the musical, or Das Musical, as someone said it to me the other day, and I was like, I love that, which is at the Dominion Theatre, which is this original, original show, this is your part, nobody else has ever played this here, this is kind of the world premiere of this, so does this now change anything, and I don't mean in terms of how you see yourself, I don't mean in terms of the performance that you give, but does this just change anything within you to say, this journey has been more than worth it now, in a way that maybe even you couldn't comprehend at the beginning, does anything feel different, this side of that nomination?

[7:20] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Yeah, what I really want, and I'm making an effort for it to do, is just help me with my confidence. I've got such trust in myself, and I know what I'm capable of, but also I want to have a bit more, and just, just doing it, and being like, I am enough, and I know that's probably never going to come, but I'd like to just have a little bit more percentage of, just knowing that I, yeah, I can, I'm doing it, you're doing it, it's enough, enjoy yourself, because I do all of those things, but I just like to have a little bit more of that, like, I love what I do, I am grateful every single day, but I am, I'm harder on myself, and we all are, but I'd like to just have a bit more confidence. I got my certificate the other day, and I'm gonna get it framed, and I'm just gonna put it somewhere, and just, and just like a, I want it to be a beautiful reminder of like, there's so much of her that isn't me at all, and the bipolar opposite of me, but also there is so much of me being my unapologetically being myself, my mom, two of my best friends, Regan and Adam, so much influence into that character that is from my life.

I hope that it just puts a bit more confidence, and I grow even more, and I want to, you know, just keep growing, keep learning, keep evolving, but yeah, confidence, and a bit of like, chill, and just like, I don't know, just like, not judging everything I do as a performer, I do, I, yeah, I'm harder on myself, so yeah, learning and growing, for sure, just letting go, and enjoying the ride a bit more.

[8:56] William J Connolly: It's supposed to be fun as well, I do think that was really important what you just said there, which is that we do maybe sometimes take this industry a touch too seriously, and we always think it's about other people, it's about giving to others, and actually it really is about the fact that you're allowed to go to work, you're allowed to do a good job, and you're allowed to also actually enjoy it as well, and I think that would be lovely if you could take that from this whole situation, is that maybe you could just go and have a bit more fun every day as you, I don't mean in the show, the show is what the show is, but maybe you could just have a nice time.

[9:24] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I want you to know that I am having the most fun ever, it's just, it's just the thing, like the being harder on myself comes into that, and you know what, you're making me so emotional, because that's such a beautiful thing to realize and think about, is actually I've had the time of my life doing this, and in the room I've been able to experiment, and play, and put things forward, and on the stage, try things, and we did so much development in front of audiences, and Gerry has just honoured and been so kind in just giving me the space to just create, that actually that is what I have been doing, and it's so amazing to think that I've been nominated for an Olivier whilst doing that, so remember that, like you were so yourself, and having the most amazing time, and you ended up getting nominated, so just keep doing that, do you know what I mean? like it's, it's just crazy amazing, and I feel so grateful.

[10:26] William J Connolly: Well I promise there'll be a significant, if not most people, that are in your category, also nominated this year, have previously been nominated, and will be nominated in the future, that will fill all of the things that you are, so they're incredibly valid, and I'm genuinely really proud of you, so like congratulations, and I wanted to do this at the start, because recognition is hard, but it's really really important, so congratulations.

[10:43] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Thank you, I want to hug you.

[10:46] William J Connolly: This is the time I hate doing this virtually, but yeah genuinely congratulations, it's really special, and I referenced it at the start, but Emily is this extraordinary character that we all know so well, that we all do love, and she means a lot to us as an audience, and I can imagine she does mean a lot to you, even before you knew that this was going to happen, so take me back to the beginning, when you were like Prada's going on stage, Elton's going to be involved, Jerry's going to be involved, this could potentially be something that I want to do, like was Emily the character you went in for, was this the character that you wanted to do, like where did your sort of connection to her, chapter one, day one, way back at the beginning, where did that begin?

[11:20] Amy Di Bartolomeo: This is, this really, this ride is seriously the dreamiest one, I did a self-tape in two rounds, I've done 13 rounds for roles, and this was just easy breezy, I stood there, my boyfriend Lawrence, you've met Lawrence, right? Yeah, he was a beautiful Andrea and Nigel, and he kept getting his lines wrong, kill the riff cuff, no, sorry Amy, no no, we're not, we're not doing that, that's the end of the scene, so it already started with such ease, such fun, the minute I picked up the scene, I was like, oh this is fantastic, I'm really dyslexic, and things take, auditions and rehearsals take a lot more work for me than a lot of other people, so I don't know, more than anything, when I pick up something and it goes straight in, especially without music, for some reason I can just pick up music, I'm like, oh this feels good, it's just, it just flows, it feels right, I know what I'm doing, let's do it.

I had help from like, best friends, like I always want people to know that it takes a village, it takes so much more than just one person, like Lawrence has always given me advice in those situations, my friend Dan and Joseph helped me with my audition, friends Dan and Joseph, and it was just, it was just easy, and it was exciting, I've always wanted to work with Gerry, hashtag full out, I mean in better words, that is me and my mom's motto, like she would take me to competitions every weekend, she would take me to shows, and she would, we would travel to London to do an associate class for me to just be a part of it and learn, and it's always been hashtag full out, and I would love, I'm still pushing for it, but I'd love to be a triple threat, like I think that's fabulous, like yeah, when you watch someone on stage and you're like acting, oh, singing, oh, dancing, and it's like, yeah, I want to, I would love to be that, definitely still training towards that, yeah, like you say that Elton John, oh my gosh, the dream, he's written some of the best musicals of all time, so that was the beginning, and the minute I went into the room, I was doing concerts in, I was up north, and I raced down for the audition, and I just walked into a room, and I'd never met anyone, never auditioned for anyone on the panel, never auditioned for Jill Green.

[13:43] Amy Di Bartolomeo: And it was a fresh panel of people that didn't know me and I didn't know them. And the creativity was just beautiful. The energy was beautiful. It was easy. Now I can look back at it and be like, wow, it was like a moment of let's, let's make this work. Let's create. And that's all I, you know, tell my students as well, go into the room and just be open and just enjoy the creation. And if a panel is open and ready to do that, they will like they were in so workshop mode. It was the dream and I was like, great. I ended up changing a bit of the song for the final. I didn't know it was the final. So it was only the second audition. I had real jet lag from Australia. And it was hitting that later in the day mark of going, okay, we're gonna have to lean into this jet lag.

It's just, just, just understand the universe right now, that just enjoy the silliness of how you're feeling right now and bring that to the room. And I was so happy me and my boyfriend had had the best holiday ever. And I was just like, let's just bring that joy into the room. And I sang the song at home. And I've been really practicing it because I wanted to, you know, I knew that I got I wanted Elton to really think I was fabulous. And I was like, I'm just gonna try something at the end of the song. So I did the whole runway. Like I did, I took it up at the end. And it was actually written just runway runway runway. And I think please don't quote me on that. My brain was telling me that this was a new show that had never been done before.

So they're going to be looking for people that want to create these characters and are passionate about building something together. And I just wanted to put to them not in a rude way of I think this song should change, but more of here's what I feel like I could bring to the table. I hope you enjoy it. I'd love to know what you think. Please feedback. Let's let's play. Let's let's create we've got time. I'm sure this is going to be a big rehearsal for us. I think it actually set the dates on the contract on the audition breakdown. So I knew it was going to be over a long period of time, we were going to do a workshop and then we were going to go to Plymouth. And then so we knew I saw that was coming.

I was like, yeah, this is going to be a moment to show them and all I'm ever saying is I want to create. So Amy, go and do as you say, you keep saying you want to do it. So go and do it. So I took a risk. I went into that room and said, here's me. This is I've got an idea of how I think she should sound and act and be and this is it. What do you guys think? I'd love your feedback. Let's create this amazing character together. And that was the audition process.

[16:24] William J Connolly: My favorite person ever that tells Elton John she's got options for him. It's like, here we go. Let me just belt a little bit higher for you.

[16:33] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Oh, gosh. Yeah. Like very risky. But what a beautiful man. What an amazing man. It's been nothing but open and kind and honored all of us in who we are as actors, who we are as musicians and what we want to bring to these characters, including the rest of the creative team. It's been pure joy.

[16:52] William J Connolly: But I also imagine when you're starting off at the very beginning of a show, Jerry included lyricist, but also I can imagine somebody like Elton John who people probably do go the other way and they retreat rather than come forward. I imagine it's probably welcomed when someone brings possibility.

[17:06] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I think so, because what you don't want is just, oh, thanks for doing what's written, which is sometimes great. I'm not, you know, you can have the discussion about that. But also here's potential, because one of the questions I did want to ask when you were responding then was like the character of Emily is so heightened and she's got such height to her. She's probably like three or four spaces above what we sort of call in. This is a podcast. You can't say this, but like quotation marks of normal is that she comes in with so much energy and so much.

[17:32] William J Connolly: Yeah, she's big. She's a big person. Like, was that something that they told you to do? Was that something where you found that she sat quite naturally? Like, where did? Because this is very different than, you know, like, you know, quite naturally. Like, where did? Because this is very different to what Emily did on screen, which I think is deliberately purposely fantastic. But where did that come from?

[17:53] Amy Di Bartolomeo: It was a combination of things. So I started off very much bringing screen acting to it. So I brought her, especially because we did the self tape. I brought her to what I think Emily should be in said normal scenario. So camera and like, or how we would actually talk to one another. And then it got brought up. I don't know, it was just full experiments, because I can be that big. It was I would, I'd figure it out one with Jerry, two with the audiences. And three, I think it depends on the houses, because we're at the Dominion, everyone would always be we would always talk about how well, people would relate to us how you need to be touching the back of the stalls, that would be like one of the notes and I'd be really aware of that.

You know, because you can't watch yourself. You can't. I remember sometimes I think about seeing like, Beverly Knight on stage up there and how it's lit. And it's just such a beautiful theatre. I still can't believe I'm on that stage. But yeah, you want to, you do want everyone to get her and it to reach everyone. I've never wanted her to be too big. So I have been really, really bothered about the balance of Emily and the comedy, the timing, the reactions. Yeah, the way that how she holds herself 100%. And also working with the writers, Kate, there's just that there was there's just been that understanding of one another of, can I go? Should we? Should I go a bit more? Do you know what I mean?

Like, I'm just without even saying it, sometimes doing it and that. Oh, that was and just feeling a response from people or in the room was great. You know, like, you've got people sat around. And if you get a response from people sat around, I think that's great too, because, you know, they've seen it a million times. We're all in a rehearsal space that we all know the lines that are coming next. But to be fair, we did change them a lot. But yeah, it's working with responses. She's a theatre character, not a screen character. Just finding that finding that balance.

[20:00] Amy Di Bartolomeo: She's also a little bit of a train in a character in that she she's going like she's got speed to her. Like, she's like, once she once you see her from the beginning, like apart from the very opening, but like she comes in full pelt. It's like, who's the new person? I don't like her. Get rid of her. I'm gonna throw her under the bus. Off I go. Like, there's no there's no nicey nicey with her to begin with. And actually, I think that she sets a tone for the whole musical. So actually, I think I think the great thing that you do is you find that balance between all of those threes where when it does lean into the slightly kinder moments that you get to see her, which is probably the slightly more truer parts of her that is the great brilliance of Kate's writing is that it's like, oh, that was almost like protection mode in a way. That's her like fighting the world.

[20:40] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Yeah, she's it was all about it's all about stakes for sure. And I've been really aware of that, like this one is a fashion world. Fashion is very different to our theatre world. Two, it's set in 2005. Three, her biggest idol is Miranda. So there's all these things that she's trying to be keep a hold of be this kind of person that she thinks she should be to become the next Miranda to be respected to be the fashion girl to be the it girl. I don't know. There's just all these also complete opposite. She's starving. She's knackered. There's so many emotions like bubbling up in there. You're the worst version of yourself when you're hungry. I know I am. She's knackered. She's doing two people's jobs.

She wants to please so bad. She thinks this is the way you should do it. And then totally realizes it's not. But like at the beginning, yeah, it's all stakes. And yes, totally heightened. And it's a brilliant musical theatre character. It's like got that level of camp that you want with her. And a lot of that comes down to what she wears. And I hate to be so shallow. Oh my god, you know, people like, oh my god, it's what she wears. I'm like, grow up. No, it's not. But trust me, it is you need to see the show.

[21:54] William J Connolly: Can I just ask you about the opening and in particular that outfit, because there's lots of amazing ones, but the pre-show, pre-show, pre-show, pre-show, pre-show. So you sit there in the audience, you're probably twiddling away on Twitter or looking at some stuff. And then this mysterious coat floats past you, a waft of wind. It's a bit like what happens when Voldemort suddenly enters the room. You feel him before you see him. Can you explain?

[22:17] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I want to be that floaty. I'm trying to be that floaty in those heels for sure. It's Gucci for God's sake. Is it Gucci? Is it? Yes, everything I'm wearing is complete designer. Like Greg Barnes really just did, in my opinion, an amazing job. I love Emily as a look. She, oh God, we really got to have so much fun with that. And honestly, everything he brought in, I was like, oh, like the minute the rail was shown and the ideas and the mood boards, he had me so involved in her. And he asked me what I see her as and how I feel comfortable as an actor and what do I need to create Emily on stage. It was beautiful. The dream situation, the way Greg spoke to me and looked after me. And we created the look of Emily.

The beginning look, I'm wearing a Gucci tie, a Balmain dress and Prada shoes. Just for context for people that haven't seen it, that is for the pre-show announcement that Amy does live on stage. I've got like 11 costumes. For how long do you reckon you're on, from the walk down to enjoy? Well, how long do you think that is? Like a minute and a half?

[23:20] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Well, I was giving you time. I was like, okay, fine. Literally, it's not long. And it's like, it screams money. It's crazy. When you put that on and you walk down and you're in the audience and you're in this heightened state of character, is that when the ringtone goes? Is that when you feel she really kicks in?

[23:33] Amy Di Bartolomeo: It's when I go to my, me and Vanessa call it our little cubbyhole, where we get changed on the side of stage. We've got a little dressing area. And I put my shoes and my coat on. And Elizabeth gives me one last brush because just before I walk on stage, I absolutely love my wig so much. So it definitely has something to do with my wig too. I also get it glued because I just want it to feel like it's mine and just feel completely in control of it. I love it. Because I have to go back into the auditorium. And I start at the sound desk. So I come from backstage into front of house, walk past everyone in the audience, like past the toilets, through the corridors, past the sound desk. And that's when I'm like, pulled up.

The shoes are on. Everything is ready. Makeup is done. I do one last check in the mirror. Also, the music is great. Like I've not really thought about it. The music is great because Jerry Genius used like the members that the cool members club in New York's soundtrack in 2005 as the music as the audience is entering. So you've got like this. So you're just like, you're vibing and you're ready. And then I get to walk down and it's a long walk. So I get to start to feel her as I walk through the audience. Yeah, it's great. It's just wonderful. Like what a way to and I just Yeah, love it. It's so much fun. And the more I do it, the more I have fun with it. Now. I'm not so nervous. Jeez. Before it was like, don't fall.

[25:06] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Pop it rake. I mean, I don't know what this is. But that many inches stilettos. It's like, do not fall over. Because that's not what Emily is right now. She's gonna get there. We're going on a journey people. But right now, Amy, that's not who she is. You need to not fall. You need to look great. You need to be shoulders back. Great posture. Let's go. So that all does 100% help makeup, hair, costume, everything. It's like battle armor, I think with her including said wig that you mentioned, which is very bouncy and flowy. But it's do people by the way ever say anything to you like in as you walk past the toilet or the audience or the club or anything like no, lots of smiles because people have like, clicked on to who I am.

And like, it's just exciting. I always get to say hi to the front of house people, which I love. And then I do a little rock. I have like a ritual. I have to do rock, paper, scissors with whoever's brought me out front from side stage. And then we just go for it. I say love you as I walk down. And then I walked down like, I started to get a bit cheeky with it. And if like someone in the program is on like a picture, a page with like a picture of me on it, I pointed and gone, that's me. I was like, I don't know. I think that might be too much. Amy, you're having way too much fun. Now. You're having too much fun now. But yeah, it's just fun. It's so fun. And I've got my flip phone, which I think a lot of Emily's energy comes from the smack together of that flip phone is there is so many emotions in that.

It's so good. It's so good. It's so iconic. And it is, of course, the genius mind of Jerry Mitchell. He just knows how to make something which let's be honest, appreciate announcement, yawn, who cares? But this Sunday, you're like, oh, we're in the zone. And also you get the vibe, which is like, when you make all the jokes, which I don't want to spoil any of the jokes. If you do want to see a video, by the way, Amy and Emily, Amy has posted this on her Instagram, you can see it and the comments. I hope I know comments can be a challenging place. But like people were eating it up. People were like, Oh, this is I don't really read. Because it is don't know what people are saying. Because I yeah, I don't really want to read the comments.

Yeah, maybe don't go down. I don't feel like anyone's gonna encourage me to encourage you to do that. But it's people love it. And it's really great. And it's such a great way to start the show. And then, of course,

[27:28] William J Connolly: It begins. We then enter this world, which is just huge. Like, you reference it being on the Dominion. It's this ridiculously huge stage with the sets to match with music. It's so loud in there. I'm not joking. It feels like it's inside your brain. It's the best. Nothing worse than seeing a Western musical that's quiet. There's a few in my mind that I'm not going to say out loud, but like, there's too many that are. Turn them up. Let's go. But for you, there is one song that I want to ask you about. You know what's coming, and that begins with an R, and it might have Runway after it, because I am a freaking fan. But question number one, before I ask you about specifics. Emily, how do you survive at Runway?

[28:08] Amy Di Bartolomeo: By the skin of her teeth. No, she's doing her absolute best. And she gives it everything, doesn't she? She does survive. She does. But she realizes, no, we don't want to give it away. But she realizes that being herself and looking after herself is a much better way to go about it, and being kind. And being kind. But in this specific moment, I don't think there's a kind bone in her body. I think she's finger pointy, sort of notepads, making sure that lovely Georgie, you make sure Georgie runs around the stage rather a lot in that song Runway. What is it like to have an anthem like that? Like, for example, when the, I think it was the press launch, like official Western launch happened. Yeah, you that suddenly took off, like people really started to pay note to the show, because not just your performance, of course, lovely Elton John sat behind you.

But also the fact that this song is a great musical theatre song that really sets you up for what you think Prada would sound like musically. What's it like to get to perform a song like this? It's what really beds people into the world of Prada. It's just amazing. I was thinking about it. I do think about it. When I'm like, it's, it's like this. Well, it's even got a ballad a bit. It's like literally got everything you want as a singer in it, because as an actor singer in it, because you start off and I, we I love that we went with the idea that Emily is anxious and insecure. And I think that makes, I think it makes the audience love Emily a little bit instead of being like a mean girl, like I knew I was going to be the best.

I've always been Queen B. It's not it. This is all some anxiety. And this all comes from a place of wanting to do well and wanting to be liked. And people Miranda keeps firing every single girl that I try and teach this job to, and tired and hungry and all those things. And I think the minute I love doing the start of the song, because it's like, I do think people I have like giggles and stuff, because it's like, Oh, she's just an anxious, insecure mess. Oh, okay. The amount of people that I've had said to me, we've got an Emily in our office. Like, people understand her like, I understand her. I mean, some of the things that come out of her mouth, absolutely not too far. Nasty, bully. No, I'm not that.

No. But like, I do. It's, I just wanted her to make, I just wanted to make her more human. I wanted to make her human, and someone people can relate to and understand and have an understanding of. And so the start of it is just like, so fun, because it's all acting chops, fun, talking to the audience, really, I love having a moment with everyone. And I'm, I just break the fourth wall. And I didn't know if to do that. And I tried it one day. And Jerry said something like someone had their Weetabix this morning or something like that. And I was like, Okay, I did the right thing. Because I was like, do I talk to the audience? Do I do this? And yeah, that's what we do now. And then I get to have this whole legit moment.

Classical Paris, I get to go with her to Paris, and then I get to riff and belt. It's just so much fun. And it's one song. Like so much happens, but I never think of it like that. Because I know I've been doing it for ages, but I'm still, it's still like the start of this, like, we've only been doing it four months in London. And it changed a lot in previews, like the song lyrics that are on that were filmed for the press day are very different to the ones that I do now. I love to do in that press. I hope I found the right that's what I mean with an audience that was so different again. Because everyone was stood like a meter away from us. And it was like hundreds of people stood next to us in the bright lights, which is very different to the Dominion.

Also with certain person over your shoulder. Oh, yeah. I'm actually I think that was better that Elton was sat behind us, in my opinion, because he was meant to sit in front of us and watching us from half a meter away. The idea of as much as possible, try and just live in the moment of telling Emily as a character in the story and being present was easier with him being sat next to me than it was if I had just seen and watched him. I went, oh, it was already terrifying. Like, you know, nerves were, oh, my God, but I love doing that press interview, because it's the first time I got to sing it for everyone. It was just so fun. And I gig a lot. So it felt like I got to do this, like, fun, maybe that's what, you know, my life's been like, educating me to get to this point and to get to this role.

I've done so many gigs and learn how to gig, which is a completely different thing to musical theater that were in that moment, I was doing a musical theater character, but at a gig. And I loved that experiment of being in a small, yeah. Yeah, small, intimate place and bringing this character to everyone, again, knowing that it was being filmed. So that again, you want you don't want it to be as big as the Dominion. And I was just so much fun. And the mic was beautiful. You know, they put, we're working with Elton John, like the music is always so looked after. And the dreamiest microphone you could ever sing into, to be really honest, like, I was like, I want to sing on this mic for the rest of my life.

[35:10] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Yeah, yeah, it was, I felt really looked after by everyone, creatively, and as a family on stage as well. So that was beautiful, because we'd all built that relationship beforehand, as well anyway. But also just, I just dived into it. And yeah, I became, I went into work creative bubble, and just thrived as much as possible in it and said, no, throw things at me. Don't don't stop. Let's keep going. Honestly, I don't ever want to stop creating. I'm so sad. They've all gone. I love what she is. We're good. We tick. We did it great. But I'm like, Oh, let's do some more stuff. Let's create some more. Let's change it up a bit. No, no, no, I don't want to change it. But it was so much fun. And it really was what I've been waiting for my whole career.

So I just ate it up. And I didn't, didn't want it to stop even sometimes, or it'd be like, Oh, no, this dyslexia is, is this just not helping right now. It just no, you're doing this. And I just do it over and over and over and over again, whether it was in a corridor with Tosh, who I'm so grateful for. And Matt and or just at home waking up doing it in the kitchen doing it on the dog walk. It's what I wanted. So you just have to go like, yeah, this is hard. This is this is going to be challenging. But this is the challenge I have always wanted. So no, please keep keep it coming. Keep it coming.

[36:09] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I feel like it's like the best thing once you've done it. But it's also one of those things where you secretly don't realize you're enjoying it while it's happening. Do you know what I mean? Because you're pushing yourself. It was the moments of like, because we were in such a safe, I would know all safe, but you'd have rehearsals and practicing on stage. And then that dress run came out of nowhere. That was that that was that I spent most of the show going, you've got to go to the other side of the stage now, Amy, so you better move those legs. My legs had just stopped working. It was intense. There was a lot of people from the industry there. Yeah. I was very happy and excited to present what we've done.

And I was so excited for people to see but because it, you know, I just, you know, I just, I don't know why maybe I was never going to be prepared. But that dress run just slapped me around the face. I was like, Whoa, I was very nervous. Yeah, I'm so glad. I think I got to enjoy as you know, first of December was a huge one, the gala night with every fabulous celebrity and amazing person could possibly be there was there. But I'm glad that was like later on down the line. And we got to we experimented all the way up until then. And then we got to present it. So I think I definitely got to enjoy the first of December a lot more than I did the dress run.

[37:33] William J Connolly: Can I ask you just indulge me for a second about one of the very particular changes that I do know happened from Plymouth to the West End that was taken out. But I'd love you just to tell me what this moment was like was during is it called runway or how to survive at runway?

[37:42] Amy Di Bartolomeo: How to survive at runway. Okay, my apologies, everybody for misnaming.

[37:47] William J Connolly: No, it's runway. Everyone will be like runway.

[37:49] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Yeah, for how to survive at runway. You're getting me at it now. But the glasses snatching moment from Vanessa. Please this wide Come on, Jerry, this give me a gay card back. That was a level of camp even I couldn't do it. I loved it. I mean, tell everyone we really need to like, like I do need to tell people that this happened. So I had this beautiful it was Schiaparelli inspired Greg Barnes sent me the drawings and he designed it and he made it and his beautiful people made it. We had this like skirt made that snapped at the back with magnets. And we had the boys run on in pink. They're all in black with pink berets, right? And they ran on did it and George would go who's that? Paris and in the in the row, they would throw run on throw the skirt over me and snap it at the back and I'd have the skirt on and then slowly I get to go with her.

I'd look to the side, Vanessa stood in a spotlight. Her in Paris seated by Miranda side of Paris Fashion Week, kiss kiss. I can't remember. Okay, and then the show. And so then I'd have a glass of champagne in my hands that one of the boys had given me and then we'd clink it together. We'd sit down with pretend to watch a runway show. And the boys were doing like cruise behind us holding like macaroons. And then all of a sudden the phone rings at the end of the Paris Mirage or whatever you'd like to dream sequence. The phone would ring and there was three rings. So the first one was nothing, right? No, the first one was skirt. I think the last one was the glasses. Yeah, I think the first one was a skirt.

Oh, I think it was nothing. So just that everyone's heard the ring. Then the second one was the boys would pull the skirt off me. And then the third one was Vanessa would grab my glasses and pull them off my face. Have you heard of anything better than that? I got to do that. Like telling you that now I can't believe it. I've forgotten about it. Like, it was epic. And I used to tell Vanessa, oh, don't be nice. So just grab my phone. Stop. She's so kind. I was like, no, just go for it. I love it. And it was just, oh, it was so much fun. But Jerry ended up choosing the honest Avenue instead of like the camp Avenue, if I could put it into, you know, one word, which is, you know, not the right words, maybe, but like, it was either go have the best campiest fun time ever, or tell Emily's real dream and to the reason why she said the audience can really understand what it actually means to her and why she is the way she is.

And actually, the whole reason she's being like this is because she wants to go to Paris. It was such a moment. It was so camp. And like, you know, thank you very much for creating it. Thank you for being smart and genius enough to be able to take it out. But like, oh, yeah, I think people pay good money to have Vanessa Williams to snatch glasses off their faces, myself included, because she is obviously our queen. So yeah, I love it. It's, it's like, just so so so proud. I'm very conscious of time. This is one of the very specific moment that I want to ask you about. And of course, it's the beginning of act two, when you get to sing not only this iconic camp fun song.

[39:39] William J Connolly: You referenced a second ago, some of the changes, being a little bit of a Devil Wears Prada nerd, or mostly a you nerd. I spot things like this. I did come to the dress rehearsal, which I loved. And I made, I was gonna say I made the mistake, but I'm gonna correct myself. I made a choice, which was, I say made a choice, my friend Jodie's gonna IRL, she dragged me to the front, but I'm gonna, I'm gonna go with the fact that I made the choice to sit on the front row, right in the middle, which meant that I was like, I had Amy and Emily full, unfiltered. I was like, whoa, we're exchanging spit at this point. Okay, cool. I'm into it. But it changed so much. And like, lyrically, like from those different things.

But for you, you referenced at the beginning, like, I want to be an originator, I want to put myself in these situations, I'm going to come into the room, and I'm going to offer options. So when that starts happening, how do you navigate the performance version of you in the evening to the person that's made had changes thrown on them, probably that day to then implement that night? Like how? How does that challenge you as a creative to go? Oh, I'm now doing the thing that I kind of wanted to do? But yeah, I imagine there's lots of tabs open in your head, right?

[41:11] Amy Di Bartolomeo: It's been such an incredible journey, bringing this character to life on stage. I think the transition from screen to stage has allowed me to explore Emily in a new light, really diving into her complexities and the humor that comes with her character.

[41:31] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Working with Jerry Mitchell has been a dream. His vision for the musical has pushed me to trust my instincts and really lean into the character's emotional depth.

[41:51] Amy Di Bartolomeo: The music that Sir Elton John has created for this show is just phenomenal. It’s been a joy to workshop the vocal options and find the right sound that fits Emily while also showcasing my voice.

[42:11] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Comedy is such a huge part of this role. I love how Emily's wit and sarcasm come through in the musical numbers, and it’s been fun to find those moments that really resonate with the audience.

[42:31] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Fashion plays a significant role in the show as well. The costumes are stunning, and they help to elevate the character and the story we’re telling. It’s all about that visual storytelling.

[42:51] Amy Di Bartolomeo: My Olivier nomination was such an unexpected honor. It feels like a validation of all the hard work I've put into this role, and it motivates me to keep pushing myself further.

[43:11] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I think public recognition is important, especially in an industry where self-doubt can creep in. It’s a reminder that I’m on the right path and that my efforts are being seen and appreciated.

[43:37] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Surviving at Runway is all about confidence and knowing your worth. Emily embodies that fierce determination, and I hope to inspire others to embrace their own strengths.

[43:57] Amy Di Bartolomeo: The rehearsal process has been intense but rewarding. Each day brings new challenges, and I love collaborating with such talented people who are just as passionate about the project.

[44:17] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I’ve learned so much about myself through this experience. It’s pushed me to believe in my abilities and to take risks that I might not have taken before.

[44:37] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I think the audience will really connect with Emily’s journey. It’s relatable, and I hope they leave the theatre feeling inspired and uplifted.

[45:01] Amy Di Bartolomeo: There’s something magical about live theatre. The energy from the audience can completely change a performance, and I love that unpredictability.

[45:21] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I’m excited for everyone to see the final product. It’s been a labor of love, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.

[45:41] Amy Di Bartolomeo: The support from my fellow cast members has been incredible. We’ve built a strong bond, and that camaraderie really shines through in our performances.

[46:01] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I think it’s important to celebrate each other’s successes in this industry. We’re all in this together, and lifting each other up only makes us stronger.

[46:21] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I’ve always admired the resilience of performers. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there, and I think that’s what makes our community so special.

[46:41] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Looking ahead, I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. I’m open to new opportunities and eager to continue growing as an artist.

[47:01] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I hope to keep challenging myself and exploring different facets of my craft. There’s always something new to learn, and I want to embrace that.

[47:21] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Ultimately, I want to leave a mark in the theatre world. I want my work to resonate with people and to inspire them in some way.

[47:41] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Thank you for having me on the podcast. It’s been a pleasure sharing my journey and insights with you.

[48:01] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I look forward to what’s next and hope to continue making an impact through my performances.

[48:21] Amy Di Bartolomeo: The journey is just beginning, and I’m excited to see where it leads.

[48:41] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I appreciate all the support from my fans and the theatre community. It means the world to me.

[49:01] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Let’s keep the conversation going about the importance of representation and diversity in the arts. It’s crucial for the future of theatre.

[49:21] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I believe that every story deserves to be told, and I’m committed to being a part of that narrative.

[49:41] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Thank you again for this opportunity. I can’t wait for everyone to experience the magic of this musical.

[50:01] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I hope to see you all at the show!

[50:25] Amy Di Bartolomeo: It’s going to be an unforgettable experience, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

[50:45] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Until next time, keep dreaming big and believing in yourself.

[51:05] Amy Di Bartolomeo: The arts have a way of bringing people together, and I’m grateful to be a part of that.

[51:25] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Let’s continue to support each other and uplift the voices that need to be heard.

[51:45] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Thank you for listening, and I hope to connect with you all soon.

[52:05] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Remember, you are capable of achieving great things.

[52:25] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Keep pushing forward and never lose sight of your passion.

[52:45] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I’m excited for what the future holds, and I hope you are too.

[53:05] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Let’s make magic happen together in the world of theatre.

[53:25] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Thank you for your time and support.

[53:45] Amy Di Bartolomeo: I can’t wait to see you at the theatre!

[54:05] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Until next time, take care and keep shining.

[54:25] Amy Di Bartolomeo: Goodbye for now!