This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Josh: And tonight we are what's going on, Queens.

[0:12] Josh: You know what time it is? It is time for a brand new episode of the Queendom Podcast.

[0:17] Josh: My name is Josh, and if you are joining us here for the first time, welcome. Uh right here on this podcast, we chat all things SIX: The Musical from cast, crew, production team, whatever it is, it is here.

[0:29] Josh: So make sure you're hitting that subscribe button to get notifications whenever a new episode drops. We do release episodes every Saturday.

[0:35] Josh: This week, however, this is episode 30, so a pretty big one. The big 3-0 and Miss Harriet Watson from our favorite cast, the UK Tour cast is joining us this week, and we are chatting all things SIX as usual.

[0:52] Josh: So make sure you are settling in. You've got your headphones, your chocolate, your snacks, because it is time to get down.

[1:06] Josh: Hey Queens, how's it going? It is Josh here, and uh you are listening to the Queendom Podcast, and we have another amazing guest with us this week from the tour. One of the swings out there, Miss Harriet Watson.

[1:17] Josh: Hey Harriet, how are you going?

[1:18] Harriet Watson: Hello.

[1:20] Josh: I am really excited to have you here. Um so to start us off, what's your favorite Disney movie?

[1:26] Harriet Watson: Oh, that's such a fun to start with. Let me think. Oh, do you know what it is? The Goofy Movie.

[1:30] Josh: Have you ever seen it?

[1:33] Harriet Watson: Oh yes. Favorite, favorite one ever. Have you watched, have you got Disney Plus?

[1:40] Josh: Uh of course I've got Disney Plus.

[1:42] Harriet Watson: Right, okay. That was a stupid question. Um have you watched Onward?

[1:48] Josh: The new one?

[1:50] Harriet Watson: Yes! I watched it in the cinema.

[1:52] Josh: Oh I at the ending sobbed.

[1:56] Harriet Watson: Like Disney Pixar.

[2:01] Josh: What was the first production that you ever saw? Do you remember any of the first show that you saw?

[2:09] Harriet Watson: Yeah, the first thing I ever saw was Oliver.

[2:12] Josh: Yeah, Oliver.

[2:13] Harriet Watson: Yeah, it was amazing. Beautiful.

[2:16] Josh: What is a must-see TV show out there that people need to watch?

[2:21] Harriet Watson: Oh okay. If you want the trashy side of TV, Love is Blind on Netflix, cracking. Um do you know what I really like? I don't know if you guys get it over there. Do you get a thing called SAS? Who Dares Wins? Do you get that?

[2:36] Josh: No.

[2:39] Harriet Watson: Okay, it's really good. So basically over here they put celebrities through SAS training. It is amazing. I don't know how you guys can get it. We have it on um ITV. I don't know if you guys get that.

[2:51] Josh: I will find a way because that sounds like a really sick concept.

[2:56] Harriet Watson: It's very good. Okay, cool. Let's we're gonna watch that. Um and growing up, what was the best piece of advice you were given?

[3:04] Harriet Watson: Growing up. See, I struggle, I say I got this advice, but I struggled with it. It was to not listen to anyone. That was my best bit of advice. Just be yourself and don't listen. Not like in a naughty way, like don't listen to your teachers, but don't let anyone who says anything horrible affect you. That was my best piece of advice.

[3:22] Josh: Yeah, 100%. That's fantastic. Um how did you get into the performing arts? What was your journey to getting on?

[3:32] Harriet Watson: So mine's a bit of a weird one. Well, I say weird. So I uh went to school, did performing arts, thought, yeah, I like this. Um, but my dad does um film directing and stuff, so I was like, I'm gonna I'm gonna follow my dad and go be a director. So I went to film school in London called Alien Studios.

[3:48] Harriet Watson: Um, hated it. Was supposed to be there for a year. I think I was there for eight months, despised every moment of it. Not saying anyone out there shouldn't pursue that career if they love it. For me, no, hated it, couldn't bear it. Um, so I left that early and I was like, right, what have I always wanted to do? And then I thought, you know what, I'm gonna do it.

[4:08] Harriet Watson: So I auditioned for my drama school in Nottingham, didn't do any of the London ones, um, because I was a bit too scared. So I went for a Nottingham one close to home. Um, got in there, trained there for three years, and then when I finished, I didn't really know where I sit in the industry. I was a bit like, well, um I like doing funny stuff, I like belting, I don't know what to do with myself.

[4:32] Harriet Watson: So for six years, I went to different workshops and I moved to London and then I was there for six years. Um went to every workshop I could possibly find um with an amazing company called W One Workshops. Um they're in London. If anybody listening is anywhere near London, um they're incredible.

[4:51] Harriet Watson: I did uh mixing networks, I did the growing studio, so I was constantly putting myself in front of casting directors, choreographers, anybody that uh agents and stuff. Um and on the agent bit, sorry, um, I didn't get an agent on my showcase.

[5:06] Harriet Watson: And I remember for anyone listening, this really winds me up. It was so much pressure put on you to get an agent from your showcase. So I remember on the bus home from London back to Nottingham, some people were getting phone calls straight away from people, like, yeah, we want to sign you up. And I remember being sat there, like, am I really that bad? Am I that crap?

[5:24] Harriet Watson: Um, so that broke my heart on my showcase day that I didn't get an agent. Um, but it doesn't matter. This is it, it's so stupid that people get so much pressure and pent up about if they got an agent on their showcase. Don't because there are so many other ways to go about it and to get better agents.

[5:42] Harriet Watson: Um, so I went and did an agent panel. So for four weeks, every week I went once a week, got some uh material prepared, and then at the end I got put in front of an agent panel where I got my agent finally because I was getting proper advice from people who are in the industry, um, who really like cared and wanted you to get seen by these people.

[6:01] Harriet Watson: So I got my agent through that. Um, if I'm talking too much by the way, just stop me.

[6:05] Josh: Completely fine.

[6:06] Harriet Watson: So I got my. That's why I asked the question. Um, so yeah, got my agent, um, kept going to workshops.

[6:14] Harriet Watson: Um, didn't get any work through my first agent. I put myself forward for kids' theatre um because my friend was in it, and I went to Rome a few times with it. Um for the did it for the Italian kids. Don't know if they knew what we were saying, but they had a great time.

[6:28] Harriet Watson: So did that, and then we did a performance at the Tabard, which is quite a good, like a good theatre in London. Um, and to put that on my CV really helped because then when I went to my next workshop, um one of the casting directors said, 'Oh, I've seen you've done this, you've got some experience. Uh, there's a job coming up that I think you'd be perfect for.

[6:45] Harriet Watson: I was like, right. So I went to the audition, and it was actually for I don't know if you guys get it over there. It's called Birds of a Feather. It's an old program with Pauline Quirk in Linda Robson.

[6:54] Harriet Watson: It's like an old comedy, and it was to play Pauline Quirk in her show, written by the writers of the TV show. I thought, I'm not gonna get this, but I'll go along. I got it.

[7:06] Harriet Watson: So we did that um at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for a month. Um, and they put us up, they paid for everything. About a lot of people who go to the Edinburgh Fringe, they kind of do it for free, or they don't get money, or it's just funded by people who come and buy some tickets and they have to split it.

[7:21] Harriet Watson: So we got paid so well on that job. Um, and then from that job, so this very confusing. The producer of the original TV programme, Birds of a Feather, came to watch it.

[7:33] Harriet Watson: Anyway, turns out she was Pauline Quirk's agent, and she's still an agent. So she came and found me after the show, and she was the nicest lady I've ever met, so kind.

[7:43] Harriet Watson: And she was like, Look, email me. So I thought, why not? I'll send her an email. She's now my agent, and she is the most incredible. I'll talk about that in a minute if that's all right about agents, if there's any way I can.

[7:55] Josh: Yeah, 100%.

[7:56] Harriet Watson: So she's just she's now my agent. Um, and then she was like, I saw the sixth thing, I was like, Can I be put forward? She says, Oh, we actually had someone who was in the cast, so yeah, we'd put you forward, might be able to get you in.

[8:08] Harriet Watson: I got in. So I got into the um got in for an audition, didn't get it. I was against Maddie for Berlin, but didn't get it.

[8:16] Josh: I didn't quite right.

[8:18] Harriet Watson: Yeah, she's perfect for it, absolutely perfect. Um, and then three weeks later after the audition, after not getting it, I saw the open call, and I was supposed to be going on holiday with my family, but I thought I really, really, really want to be in this show.

[8:31] Harriet Watson: I need to just go and I need to go and see. So I went to the open call, there were thousands of people. I was like, there's just no way, there's no way I'm getting this.

[8:39] Harriet Watson: Um, but I kept getting through rounds, and my holiday was getting closer and closer. I was like, oh god, this is going quite far now. I might actually get this.

[8:48] Harriet Watson: And I remember the day my family flew on holiday, I was in London for auditions, and it was the day we all got measured for our costumes. I was like, oh my god, this could actually be a thing.

[8:59] Harriet Watson: Um, and I remember that night after that audition, went home crying to them. I was like, I just want to be with you guys. She's like, No, you've got to keep going because you're so close.

[9:06] Harriet Watson: And thankfully, I missed the family holiday for a reason because then I got it after that, and it was worthwhile.

[9:13] Josh: Hey, hey.

[9:14] Harriet Watson: Yeah.

[9:14] Josh: And now we're sorry, that's and we are now a queen. Perfect. Before we segue, let's go back to the agent thing, and you can touch on what you want to there.

[9:23] Harriet Watson: Yeah. This is just some advice for people who've got agents that um don't feel they're right or they're comfortable. My first agent, I I it's such an awkward situation to speak about.

[9:37] Harriet Watson: But I'm I knew my first agent wasn't right for me, and I was so scared for so long to say anything because I thought, right, it's my first agent, I've got to impress, I've got to please, I've got to do it, do whatever I can to make this work, and it just wasn't working.

[9:51] Harriet Watson: For some reason, uh me and my agent didn't fit, and I know there's so many people out there I speak to. When they say, Oh, how's your agent? I'm like, I have the best time.

[10:00] Harriet Watson: Like, I love her, I feel so comfortable ringing her. She I feel comfortable going to her office and having a chat, and they're like, I really wish I could be like that.

[10:07] Harriet Watson: But I think people are scared to give up an agent and then they don't have one.

[10:11] Josh: Yeah, and I think you you have to do it to find yourself someone who fits for you.

[10:16] Harriet Watson: You've got to be brave enough to let that agent go. No, no like animosity or anything, but if you have to understand when something's not right for you, to just be able to think, right, I'm gonna be brave and I'm gonna go out there and I'm gonna get an agent that fits for me.

[10:30] Harriet Watson: They might not be the biggest agent out, they might not be united or whatever, but if they work for you and you get on, you have a really good rapport with them and you feel comfortable, that is the best thing to do.

[10:40] Harriet Watson: Don't be scared, people. I spent so long being scared.

[10:44] Josh: And that's really good advice too because these people are kind of not in control but have a big play in your career. So if you're not comfortable in that situation and you don't have that openness like it could have a profound effect later down the track.

[11:00] Harriet Watson: So some really, really great advice there. So you've kind of touched on how you got into SIX. So what was it like getting a call that hey um you're not just gonna be one queen you're gonna be covering them all. What was it like getting that call?

[11:19] Harriet Watson: So I was as I say I was at home on my own knocking about the place not knowing what to do because everyone was on holiday having a great time um it was a week before my birthday and I got the phone call my agent went darling um so you're not gonna be playing a queen I was like oh all right then setting myself up for where she's like how would you feel about playing all six I was like sorry what now she's like yeah you've been offered um you're alternate and dance captain and you're gonna be playing all six queens to say I nearly cried myself would be an understatement but I was so excited I remember no one was in I was just running around screaming like a lunatic um it was amazing because I've I've obviously never had a phone call like that before and it was just the most exciting wonderful bit of news it was just amazing the way she did it as well she's very crafty it's the way she said it I was laughing my head off it was amazing.

[12:15] Harriet Watson: It was the most exciting thing. And I hope so many people get to experience that phone call because it is the most incredible rush. It's so fun. I loved it.

[12:25] Josh: Um, so was this your first time as an alternate swing type role?

[12:31] Harriet Watson: Yeah. So, what was it like going into rehearsals and having to get your swing brain on? We'll touch on the dance captain side of things later and break that down. So, what was it like first of all having to step through all six of these roles?

[12:49] Harriet Watson: So, for the first two weeks of rehearsals, we only did our first two covers. So, mine was Seymour and Pa. So I only had to cover those two. So we'd sit and watch, we'd watch a rehearsal, block it at the back, make sure we're not in anyone's way, and then when we felt comfortable enough, we were allowed to tap in. So I could go and say to Lauren or Athena, look, can I have a go at this number? Yeah, um, so we got to do that, so we got really familiar, and then after the two weeks, then they were like, right now, you need to start learning your next two. I was thinking, I don't even know the first two. So then we had to do our next two, and then obviously the last week we had to do our final two.

Um, so it was, I'm not gonna lie, I found it really hard because I've never done anything like this before. My first big West End tour job, it was daunting. I was working with incredible, incredible girls. Their talent is just ridiculous. And I found myself a lot of the time sitting there, and this is bad. This is bad because I've got over it now, but I found myself sitting there thinking, I'm not as good as these girls. Like, if I have to go on, I don't want to disappoint people. Um, I've got over that now. Sod it, I'm different to them, they're all incredible. It's just the way it is now. Um, it was difficult, and even going into the show when we got doing the show, we still had to keep doing rehearsals.

[14:04] Harriet Watson: Yeah, so me, Jen, and Classy would have to keep having rehearsals with directors. Um, and everybody who's heard me speak about being a swing knows I'm gonna bring up Jen Coldwell because that girl is a machine. So she's been a swing, she is like the top swing, I would say the top swing on the West End circuit because that girl is ridiculous. She taught me everything I know about being a swing. Um, and I'm so grateful for her. And I'm gonna text her. I text her after every time I speak to her, I'm like, people are gonna think me and you in a relationship or something because I talk about you all the time. Man, I've started I've had one conversation with her, and I'm like that. I'm like, she just has like this vibe that you just like yo, we're best friends now, and you've changed my life. Thank you.

[14:47] Harriet Watson: No, honestly, I owe, and I know I sound so softy, but I do definitely owe being able to do what I can do to Jen because she's just so she gets so excited and she thrives on being thrown on for a track. She's a weirdo, but like she knows she's getting thrown out, she's like, yes, come on, I'm not sure I know it, but let's go. Um, so I learned that like passion for it from her to that excitement to be stood there waiting to say your line, thinking, right, let's just do it. And she taught me like if you see a gap, fill it. She made the swing Bible, which I now call my swing Bible. She made it. And for me, hers makes so much sense. I can before I'm about to go on for a track, I just sit, flick through it, and in my head, it just makes so much sense.

Um, and then things like RMD Arlene, she would sit down with me, and if I knew I was going on for a track, she'd go through all the harmonies for me, record them. So when I'm sat there getting my wig on and stuff, I can listen and flick through. But I was still so I only got signed off for Howard the week we got sent off for Corona. I was fuming. I was like, yes, I'm gonna get my swing going, and then they're like, oh no, Corona. Um, so I never actually got my swing girl, so hopefully when we go back out, I'll get it. But no, it was still, we were still rehearsing up until that last week until I got signed off.

[16:00] Josh: Yeah, amazing. Um, what was it like seeing your orange for the first time?

[16:05] Harriet Watson: Oh, I fell in love. So my favourite colour is orange. I was thinking, please. But then I saw the midriff bit, and I'm not gonna lie, I'm a curvy girl. I was thinking I ain't getting my belly button out for no one, so I was nervous, but then when I got it on, it's like a suit of armour, getting all the pieces put on. And for people out there, my costume has seven components, so I'm sweating, and then just for the crack, they added a wig, the eighth part. So there's lots of parts to it, but it's so you feel so I know this. I don't know if I'm about to say it, she feels just so sexy in your outfit, and it's so nice knowing that that is my outfit. I haven't got to go on and be anybody else. I'm very much my own queen. Yeah, I take on everyone's roles as my own, and I get my own costume. It's a beautiful, beautiful costume.

[16:55] Harriet Watson: Yeah, shout out to Gabby. We do this like every week when we talk about costumes, but Gabby Slade, yeah, you're a guardian. Oh, she's ridiculous. Um, so you've got your costume, you've got your tracks under your belt. Talk me through the nerves of going on stage for the first time for the first time.

[17:17] Harriet Watson: That first time, I can't tell you how many times I messed up on that first time. The girls will tell you, it goes down in history. I sat, I go my first. So basically, Athena wasn't very well, and it was a two-show day, and I was sat in the dressing room, like messing around with Jen and Cassie, thinking, Oh, what can we do to fill our time today? And Athena was like, I don't feel good, and I was like, Oh no, I don't know what I'm gonna do. And she came off after the first show, she was crying, she was like, I can't do it. I was like, right, here we go. So Jen sat me down, taught me through everything. She was like, if you need to go through anything, let's do it. I was gonna makeup on like this.

I had an hour. So the thing is with that, I was happy to do it that way because we weren't officially supposed to go on until I don't want to say Oxford in case I get it wrong. I think it was Oxford. So in my mind, the nerves were building up as we were getting closer and closer. So for me to get thrown on last minute was definitely the best thing to do because I didn't have time to think about it. It was just like right, go, you've got to go do your job, get on. Um, the girls are so supportive, they're all like screaming for me as I came downstairs, and they all gave me a little pep talk.

[18:25] Harriet Watson: And I remember standing on the kabuki, we all do this little ritual where when the music goes ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding. We all put our hands in. It's the first time I'd done it, I was so excited to do it with more. We put our hands in and like raise them, and then we get in position. I'm walking down and standing the kabuki here, and I was just stood there thinking, am I divorced? Am I survived? How am I gonna go? No idea. And luckily I was left. I thought, yes, survive. It's I'm not gonna lie, that and every debut I've made is the same fear.

[19:01] Harriet Watson: So the I had to do it. Oh, honestly. So the first two, so I think I did par the next day as well. I can't remember. And I will I'll be honest here, at that moment I thought, because my nerves were that bad, I thought, do I want to do this as a career? Like genuinely, I was thinking, can I do this all the time? Thank god I got over it and just cracked up with it for what I spold beer today. But um, yeah, it's nerve-wracking. I think my most nervous one was when I went on for Aragon. That was my scariest. Because you have to start to start the show and then you got the first song, and it's like, cool, you're it's a big girl doesn't stop talking, she doesn't stop talking.

[19:39] Harriet Watson: But um, yeah, no, that first part, the f so basically I'll just tell you this little story. So we're all sat on for the Tinder scene. Pa's supposed to say, just a German girl trying to live the English dream. Hashtag no Catholics, hashtag what is it, big dowry. Yeah. I said it took me so long to figure out what that big dowry was because in the German accent I couldn't pick it. It took me like three or four shows to figure it out.

[20:04] Josh: Me as well.

[20:05] Harriet Watson: I've been doing it a few shows. Oh, dowry. Um, but no, I sat there and I didn't know I was supposed to speak, and I just went, um, just German girl, Holbine, and that's all I said. And all the girls are looking around thinking, is she gonna say anything else? Who's gonna cover this? I could see Lauren Drew thinking right. And it was our head of sound, Gemma, who's supposed to do the um the sound for the Tinder and they weren't coming. And I was sweating and I was smiling. I was like, please, someone say something. So that on the first show was horrendous. Apart from that, I think you enjoy the nerves, it's exciting. It's what keeps it alive.

[20:41] Harriet Watson: And I've had this discussion with someone before, I can't remember who it was, but I think nerves are a sign that you're in a good spot. Like if you're not nervous, you kind of probably aren't doing the right thing.

[20:54] Josh: Yeah, I think you get complacent.

[20:56] Harriet Watson: Yeah, exactly. Um, so dance captain. Break down first of all what a dance captain does in a show. What is your role with that title?

[21:08] Harriet Watson: Right, so my role. So, uh, so let's say typical theatre day, we're getting an hour and a half early. I take the girls for warm-up. Um, we get quite a short warm-up on this show. Um, I think we get like 15 minutes, so we'll do like a cardio track, then we'll do some like groove stuff because in this show you have got to be a bit like commercially, you've got to have the groove of the moves that the incredible Carriana's done. Um, so every day I'll drill certain grooves with them. Um, and then we'll do so we'll do some strength stuff. So we like to sit around. So Jen actually brought this back from town when she had to go to town for a bit. She brought back um an ab workout that I think Sophie Isaac's made up or does. So we incorporate that when we can.

[21:53] Harriet Watson: Um, and then we have this incredible woman called Tome who came in and gave us exercises specifically for all of our different body types to make sure we can maintain ourselves during the show run. So, and then Arlene will come in and she'll do a vocal exercise, but the girls, I'll say, right, girls, make sure you're doing your tomes so they can still do their vocal exercises and their tone stuff. Um, and then they'll we'll go off. And then if I've got so I have to do show watches twice a week. So I go to the back, sit in the lighting desk and do show watches to take notes to maintain the show to as close as what it was as when it left rehearsals.

[22:27] Harriet Watson: Um, so yeah, they get all their notes. So then I'll either give them them in warm-up or I'll go around when they're getting ready for the show and I'll give them their notes. Um, if anyone's got any problems, they tend to come to me and then I can feed them to other people or feed them to Alexa. Um, I have to be present for things like when they filmed their EPK so the video for the trailer for the tour. I had to go to their Blue Peter show and make sure they were on the right marks and doing the right thing, and everyone looked good and their feet were beveled correctly. Um, and just look after them, really, and yeah, just whenever they go out places, I go. If there's not a choreographer there, I go with them instead. Um and just make sure everything's okay and make sure they all look good.

[23:08] Josh: Yeah. Wow. So on top of the six tracks you have to cover, there's also that. Damn God. What is the hardest part?

[23:15] Harriet Watson: Um swinging or being an alternate in this show. Harmonies. Harmonies are the hard you could ask any of these girls like they when they do singing things and they need people to harmonise. I ain't asked because I can't harmonise for anything. If I've learnt it, I'm I'm fine. But with our show, the girls jump about so much. So when you're so saying when you're on to Berlin, you start the show right at the top, and by the end you're quite down by the bottom. Maddie ran out through all this, and she was like her head in.

[23:53] Harriet Watson: Oh, honestly, but that's this is the thing. The dance, obviously, I've got down because I have to know it inside out and that where people are at the beginning. I didn't know where people are because that was hard. Lines, you just for some reason they're just drilled in our brains because you're on stage listening to it all the time. The lines are easy. Um, yeah, the harmonies definitely the hardest thing. They're so tricky for me anyway. Let's talk about the great West End tour meltdown that happened where we had the massive, the alternate massive that you guys had where you had Colette out with you guys as well from town. What was that show like with you, Jen, Cassie, and Colette all going on with Athena and Maddie?

It was amazing. Because we never really get to experience that as alternates. Like the girls always like to say they love it when one of us guys comes on because we bring something fresh and they never know what we're gonna do. So it was like I'm excited to see what's gonna happen. And then with us alternates being on, we're a little bit wappy anyway. And then the added of Colette, the incredible Colette, it was so exciting because we've never heard her. I've never heard her sing No A before. So when we heard, we were like, Yes, because it was so different to what we've heard. No, it was exciting. And then obviously we had Maya come in, which was just I was honestly, I was like a right fang girl.

She sat next to me, Jimmy. I was like, I was nervous to talk to her. Um, but she's so they're both just so such beautiful human beings. Yeah, they're just it was just so it was obviously it was scary because people were dropping like flies, and I was doing split track days at all sorts. Um, but it was just so exciting and so lovely, like the as like the queendom is so supportive, and I've never really well. I've spoken to Colette a few times, but it was like she'd been on the tour for the whole time, and the same with Maya. You had this like you have this, I don't know what the word is, you have this connection automatically when you do this show. It's kind of like you're a queen, I'm a queen, we're all like, yo, we're sisters. Yeah, but honestly, it's like a big old family, it's so nice. There's no like awkwardness or anything, everyone just gets gets in and gets on with it. It was so good.

[26:06] Josh: Speaking of the Queendom, uh, what was it like when you got announced seeing the Queendom come to arms and support you?

[26:15] Harriet Watson: I love watching everyone's faces when I when I ask this question. Because they all do the exact same thing. It's like, oh, strapping, here we go. So I had, I remember because I remember the day, I know the day I was getting announced, I was thinking, what time are they gonna do it? I couldn't sleep, so I was up early. About nine o'clock, I got a bit tired, so I had a nap. I woke up at 20 past nine. My phone went absolutely mental. Thousands of people following me, thousands of people tagging me and things. It was honestly absolutely insane. For me, I found it very as appreciative as I am, it was so overwhelming because I'd never experienced anything like that before. Um my little old 500 followers on Instagram soared right up.

Um it was very, very overwhelming there for me at the beginning because it was like all of a sudden this was all right in your face. You were confronted with all these people. Not saying they were expecting anything, but because I knew the standard of people that were in the show. I think for me, I was doubting myself that I was like, right, what if I can't live up to what these guys have seen before? Um once I'd got over myself and had a bit of a minute, it was amazing. It was so amazing to be able to connect to so many people just by Instagram, and I thrive off it, and I love it. I love people getting in contact with me now. I find it so like exciting and new people to talk to. I oh, I love it. I love having all these little people in my phone. I love them.

[27:49] Josh: Oh, this is great. Um what do you like about life on tour?

[27:57] Harriet Watson: I love as cliché as this sounds. I love getting to tour with my family, and I say that in these because obviously not my real family, but I just love spending time with a group of people that I love spending time with. Yeah, it's just so nice coming into work. Obviously, I get the added plus of I've got my dream job, so that's I go into work because I enjoy it anyway. But being met with that group of people, everybody, stage management, sounds, MD, band, everybody, I just love them all so much, and it makes it such a more comfortable place to work in. Um, and all the like stupid things we get up to every day. Like I love warm-up because Lauren Drew just I don't know what happens to her. But if you have if you've ever had my Instagram, following my Instagram and we're on tour, it's what's Lauren Drew up to today.

So I love doing that. Um, and the crowds, oh the crowds being you have to adapt to different audiences. Yeah. Um so sometimes you'll get quiet ones, and you have to kind of like suss it out and think what you're gonna do. So that that's exciting, getting all the different audiences, and big up to Glasgow, because Glasgow audiences are incredible, they're amazing. Had the best time, we did a sing along there. Oh, I felt like a pop star. I was on for Berlin and I was everyone was singing Don't Lose Your Head. I was like, I got very overwhelmed, it was amazing. Yeah, that's my favourite.

[29:18] Josh: You've covered five tracks. What is your favourite part in the show to perform as each of the five girls that you've covered?

[29:27] Harriet Watson: Ooh. Ooh, okay. These are very specific. I'm glad you've got an answer and didn't have to like think about this. This is great. Oh no, no, no. So for Aaron, it's mine like quite a specific line. So for Aragon, my favourite thing is when Boleyn puts her sick finger up and Aragon bats it down, like, put it away, babe. That's my favourite bit. Um, Boleyn, my favourite bit is when after a song, um Seymour's having a meltdown, and she's like, Oh, do you know what? Yeah, that was really cute. Um, I remember when I'd adored and he chopped my head off. That always gets the best laugh. Boleyns, that's my favorite little snippy lines and just yeah, the icing on the cage. Seymour, I've got two. Seymour is obviously the big belt bit.

Yeah, that's my favourite bit. Um, and then also when she says, I mean, we've literally been doing this for the past hour, so that's a little funny line. Who's next? Uh Cleves, the whole of I know Cleves is when she goes, guys, I've got the plague. Just kidding, my life's amazing. That's my favourite bit. That gets another big laugh. Uh Howard, I don't know yet, so obviously I haven't done it, but I as strange as this sounds, I'm excited to do her song, the whole seven minutes of it. I am genuinely terrified, but I'm excited to do it. So I think that'd be my favourite bit for Howard. Um, and then Pa is in the remix when he goes dud dud d and we get to do our own riffs for the breath the last bit, and I just riff my boobs off, and it's amazing. My favorite.

[31:01] Josh: That leads me straight into my next question. Who has the best riff or best belt at the end of their song? Because pretty much everybody has that moment for you. Who do you who has the most yeah, the best one?

[31:21] Harriet Watson: I thought see, my pa and I really like my pa and my balnees. They're my faves. Par because it's like more soul y and you just like going nuts, and then baln, because I do a little bit of a uh and then go up like that. So I like doing that, and it's at the end of the song, I'm out of breath, and I just pop it off and then it's done, and then you do a little pose, and it's great, yeah, them two, definitely. Amazing.

[31:47] Josh: Um, you're the closest thing we've had to a choreographer on the show. So let's let's delve into the choreography for a little bit because Carrie Ann and we've touched on this a million times as well. But guys, if you haven't seen the show, you won't understand. But if you have, you totally understand the choreography because it is just insane. What was your favorite piece of choreography to learn?

[32:12] Harriet Watson: Get down. I am a get down girl. I like being not saying it's a masculine dance, but I prefer that masculine energy where it's whacking movements out. I really enjoy doing that. So get down for me, like I had to do it so many times in auditions. I really felt like I could get it in my body, and it that's the one that naturally sat in my body first. Um, yeah, so get down, you just get to be a bit because it's so queen like, and then you get to do this like really hard hitting number, and I that yeah, that is my favorite. That's my favorite style of dance as well, like a commercially hip hoppy thing. Yeah, amazing.

[32:44] Josh: What's your favorite piece to watch? Like when you're doing your show watches. What is like that moment in the show where you're like, damn, this choreography is just like really oh, don't lose your head.

[32:56] Harriet Watson: And I will say the tall girls are so clean on don't lose your head. The timing of the ticks of the shoulders are so bang on, and their heads are so perfect. It's such a satisfying moment. I'm like, my girls, yes, I love it. Um because the choreography is so amazing, and Carrie Ann puts it on like syncopation of beats and stuff like even the shoulders go tick tick tick tick, but you expect them to go sorry, not sorry, but it's so cleverly done that it's done on the beat, not the words. It's such a satisfying moment when you when I get to watch it, and I think I don't I need don't even need to touch my pen for this dance because I know it's perfect. It's such a satisfying dance, yeah.

[33:35] Josh: That's amazing. Um, what is your favorite dance to be uh like choreography choreographically? Um what is your favorite song to be the lead for?

[33:49] Harriet Watson: So whoever you're soloing, what is your favorite one to kind of be the solo of?

[33:55] Josh: Oh, that's a good question.

[33:59] Harriet Watson: I'm going deep because I haven't had someone that's like I've I've got you. I do know what I think it's no way because with a lot of the other numbers, like you don't really join in with the choreography. Same one pretty much just park and bark. Yeah, that's it. Everyone's just sat around watching her getting teary. Um, but yeah, no way you get to dip into the you can you get to do the bits that you want to do, so that and you get to join in the party with the girls, like especially the first dance break when they all come in, you're like, let's do it, and you're whacking yourself around, and then she gets that lovely whacking moment when she's got the little ting and then she's off. Yeah, that one because you do actually get to participate the most in that dance, yeah. Amazing. I love that.

[34:42] Josh: Um what is your favorite overall? Doesn't matter who it is, what is the even if you're watching, what is your favorite moment in the show?

[34:56] Harriet Watson: Oh my favorite. Do you know what my favorite moment is? That always makes when I'm on and when I'm off, that always makes me well up. There's two. Sorry, there's two. So one is the whole of six. The whole of six makes me so emotional because when I was auditioning for the cells, I had it on repeat, and I don't it just makes me cry. It's that moment when it's the slow motion bit and you're whacking your arms forward and people are smiling. It's just so special, it makes me teary now. That's my first point. I get to that song on the soundtrack when I listen to it now, and I'm like, I get all excited, and then I'm like, Yeah, I just there's just something about that song, and once you've seen it staged, and like it's just it's such a more powerful moment once you've kind of got the image of what's going on behind it as well.

[35:50] Harriet Watson: Like it's just oh I know it's it's beautiful, isn't it? Toby and Lucy are just masterminds. Um, but I think in that moment as well, like you get to see like we definitely get to you get to see us lot just truly like be ourselves on stage and be silly and like play with each other. It's such a nice moment, and I think for us it's nice as well because it's like we know we're near the end of the show, and we've done our hardest to tell this story, and then we just get that minute to really like connect with the audience and have a play. So that's exciting. And my second bit is the uh in Mega Six, we don't need to look and all the harmonies that split there before we do our divorce, fair headed because the show that for me gives me chills every time as well. Amazing. I'm gonna make you pick again. What's your favorite monologue to do?

[36:38] Harriet Watson: Oh because I really like different kind of vibes, but also a very integral to the story, and I love the way each everyone gets to kind of introduce themselves where they're like, yo, this is my history. Let's go, except for Boleyn. But yeah, yeah, Boleyn just walk does a sexy walk-off and sits at the back of her phone. She gets a nice time. Um my favourite, I think it's par, par for me. Um, because it's the moment in the show where I feel like you've really got everyone's attention, but you've it's a sad, it's a sad monologue, but you get to have that like funny element to it, and you everyone can play it however they want to play it. But I like to play my like a really like genuine, but there's I have the comedy in it, and it and you get to like have a little wonder about and it's chilled, or you sing his song.

That's definitely yeah, that's oh, but then I like Seymour's as well. I like them both, yeah. But oh, do you know the one I'm not keen on? Not not keen on, but the one that fills me with fear is when you hear Maria, give me a beat. You think, right, we've got to go. I need to make sure I know this because then she ain't gonna stop. Um as soon as it starts, it's just kind of like it's almost like rap without rap because it's like you've got to hit this, like you've got this long to do it before this song starts. So let's roll. Yeah, that is definitely the hardest. For all you arrogants out there, I feel your pain.

[38:00] Harriet Watson: Going into character, who was the easiest for you connect to connect to, and who was the hardest? Right, hardest first, arrogant, arrogant is my hardest. I don't know why. Um because she's such a such a powerful, confident, strong woman. For me, that felt because my personality, I'm a little bit not shy, I'm very confident, but I'm a little bit like dorky. Do you know what I mean? Like, and I found it so much easier to connect with like a Boleyn who's like naughty and really funny and can really like be silly and mischievous. For me, that felt more natural just to be. I'm gonna say the word div. I don't know if you don't know what that word means, but like just a div on stage. Um, yeah, Aragon for me was really hard.

And you know, actually, Howard, because she's obviously a sexy young, skinny, cute character. I'm none of those things. Um, so for me, that felt really hard to get the the cutesy sexy side of it because that is just not in my nature at all. Yeah, so yeah, I think I think yeah, and oh sorry, I you asked me one question, and I go off. Um that's the whole thing. I found Seymour. I found Seymour is as well because she's the motherly one, and I very much have a very uh mother caring side to me. I like to think people might message you in and say she's lying. Um, but I like to think I'm quite a motherly character, so that was easy as well.

[39:27] Harriet Watson: Yeah, amazing. Let's talk about your amazing cast, because eight other women that you get to share this stage with and this show with are incredible. Oh if you had to. I did this with Jem, so I'm gonna see how well you guys match up. If you had to sum the other eight girls up with one word, like individually with one word, what how would you describe them? Right, right. Oh Lauren Drew's got loads because I don't want to say one word, then they're not thinking I'm saying the word right. Can I just say this right now? Put this out there because I don't want to use this word. They are all possibly the most talented women I've ever met in my entire life. So I'm gonna put that one out there. Right, Lauren Drew is hilarious, probably the funniest girl I've ever met.

Um Maddy is how I don't know what the word is, but she's so here we go. Maddie, woke. Maddie's very woke about everything. Um who's next? Uh who's next? Uh Lauren is. Oh. She's hilarious as well, but she's just so lovely. I know you asked for one word. I'm really sorry. That's okay. Um Shaka is Shack is a spiritual goddess. That's what I'll use for her. Um who have I got next? Who's next? Oh, Jodie. I'm gonna say the word for Jodie is a rabbit. Might not make any sense. It does, because I interviewed her this morning and she said her favourite animal was a bunny rabbit. So I got there. There you go, there you go. Because she's just so lively. Oh, she's just off the wall. I love her. Um, and then Athena is the coolest kid I know.

Um Jen Brain is what I'll use for Jenny's brain. Um and Cassie, Cassie's chill. Cassie's really chill. I've pride. I hope none of them get offended because I just thought they're also how amazing they are, but they're my words to summarise them. That makes they make any sense.

[41:33] Harriet Watson: That is so cool. Um, I just want to go back to the first night on stage because I forgot to kind of carry on because we got distracted, but I'm back now. Talk me through finishing the mega six, walking off that moment. You get on the other side of the the doors, and you can take a breath and be like, I did that. What was the kind of wave of emotions that hit and what happened on the other side of the the curtain after you you finished that first debut? So when we walked off, Jen and Cassie were stood there waiting for me, bless them, and just Jen just grabbed me and held me. Um and it was just I it's the hardest, it's almost like it's the same kind of feeling as when you're about to go on for your first time.

It's that same kind of emotions because yeah, you've done it. Um it was just I don't know, sweating. I think I blacked out the whole show because I remember thinking, what did I do? I think I blacked it out. Um yeah, it's just the most it's so um it's a relief, it's a real relief because you've been building up to it for so long, and it's that relief of seeing. And I remember my first night I went out when I did my uh in the mega six bit, people were screaming because obviously they knew it was our debuts, and that was such a nice feeling to know that if there's a few people in this audience, I've pleased thank you. Um it's just the relief, and it's the when I remember on stage looking around, and those girls were so with me, and making sure I was in the right they would give me the nod if I was in the right position, or if I wasn't, they'd give me a little nudge or they'd move me, or it was so comforting to know I was on stage with a group of girls that really wanted to look after me and made sure I went on there and gave it everything I could.

Um so that was incredible. That was like a really emotional feeling. Um, and knowing that they were all there and all the stage management, everyone were just like, God, you did so well, went for a drink after to celebrate it. It's just yeah, it's the nicest thing. And for anyone who ever gets a job in six or wants a job in six, like it is such a supportive everything, it's amazing, yeah. It was incredible, and then once you've done it, you're like, right, I can do this, I can actually do this now. Because I was doubting myself for a long time. I was thinking, I'm not sure if I'm cut out for this job. Um, and then we're quite because I think it's an hour and 15 minutes, it's not like you're on for three hours. You go on, do your concert and you get off. It's amazing. Yeah, it's so nice.

[44:04] Harriet Watson: Oh god. We've mentioned Toby and Lucy, um, and you've gotten to work with a pretty amazing creative team on this show. Um, what's it been like to have the input of a creative team that is relatively young as well? Um, work on a show that is so fresh and relevant and so driven by the people who created it. Um, what's it like to have those people in the room helping you through the whole process? It's that's I so I think that's why it's been such success because it is such young people with such a relevant show. Um being directed by Lucy was she is such an incredible director. Everything she said to you just made sense, everything was just so to the point, and because obviously it's her baby and she knew exactly what she wanted to do with it.

It came across when she was telling us and directing us on some bits. It was so such a like such a nice feeling to think, okay, I get what you want now. Yeah, and I can I really really really want to do this for you the best I can because I know how much this means to you guys. And then Toby is just such a ball of fun. Like when he's in the room, you know Toby's in the room, and he was so excited to watch it, and he loved watching it. I remember he was screaming after the girls did their first run through, and it was just it's such a nice feeling to know that these guys support us so much in what we're doing, um, and they're happy with it. Um yeah, that I don't what can I say about them? They're an absolute phenomenon, and what they've done is incredible.

It's it, and that's a perfect word for it. Incredible. Like it's just yeah, something that right time, right place, right message, right? People involved. Like it just was the perfect storm for the generation that we're in. And yeah, boy am I glad I got to experience get to experience it. We're not over here. Like it's just it's gonna be a oh man. I know. Just oh, this show, it it gets me.

[46:04] Harriet Watson: Um that pretty much wraps us up, Harriet. We've got them all emotional. We're good. Um, but thank you for coming and joining us. I really appreciate you. Thank you. Anytime. If you guys want to follow Harriet, I'll drop all her apps and everything down below so you can make sure you check her out um and see everything she is doing on social media. You know where to find us, that's Ozqueendom and the Queen and cast on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Um before we wrap up, being away from the show for several weeks. We're nearly at months now. Wow, that's scary. Yeah, um, what's the biggest thing you miss about six? Oh, my family. Yeah, all of them, all the girls. I miss them so much. Um, and the show. Sorry, you always you always say one thing. Um, the girls on the show, I miss I miss everything. I miss everything about it. I miss my job, I miss my friends, I miss my family. Yeah, I just miss everything.

[47:03] Harriet Watson: There we go. We miss everything here, guys. Don't uh miss us next week. Make sure you hit that subscribe button. We'll be back with a brand new episode of the Queen and Podcast next week. We'll see you next week. See you next week. I'm saying next week, like it's running out of lyrics. Um, we will catch you in the next episode, Queens. Bye.