Exclusive: Leesa Tulley from Six the Musical to Why Am I So Single? The rise of a star. 

Glasgow born Lessa Tulley has shown musical talent from a young age when she was performing dances for her parents.

A career in theatre beckoned. 

Leesa was an alternate as Katherine Howard and Anne Boleyn in the smash hit show Six the Musical tour and is now returning to the West End in Why Am I So Single? Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow created both shows and the latter is hotly anticipated. 

Over the Shoulder sat down with Leesa and spoke about how rehearsals are going and much more. 

Let’s get into the interview shall we: 

Congratulations on your upcoming leading role in Why am I so single? which will be on at the Garrick Theatre London. Can you tell me a little bit about your role and the play itself?

Thank you! So, I play one of two leads in Why Am I So Single? Alongside the wonderful Jo Foster. We tell the story of two best friends, sat at home, dissecting their love lives. There is SO much more to it than that, but I don’t want to give too much away because it is so special, you MUST see it in person to experience it fully!

Have you always loved performing arts and how hard was your journey to treading the boards in the West End? 

I have been performing somewhat since I was little. Started with dance, and picked up musical theatre when I was around 10, I think? I went to drama school at 20 and graduated in lockdown in 2020! My journey into the West End hasn’t been easy, or quick, but I am so grateful to be where I am now. 

Does your family have an artistic background or are you the first?

We have a few drama queens in my family! I joke… kind of. My Gran has always danced and passed that down to my Mum – she’s brilliant with a time step, my Mum! So, I get that from them. My Dad has always been a drummer, and loves his music, so I guess you could say it does run in the family! My big cousin trained in Musical Theatre when I was younger, and I always felt inspired by her as a wee girl. My cousins, my sister and I all made up dances/performances to perform to our parents!

You performed SIX around the country as well as London. What was the experience touring like and are the audiences any different?

I was so lucky to be in Six, especially the touring version. It was so special to perform all over the country to such vast audiences. The audiences were so different from place to place, it was so interesting. Six celebrates so much individuality, including championing our regional accents, and it was evident how appreciated that was when the regional audiences could resonate more closely with a specific Queen/s.

Did SIX the Musical, help you gain the part in this production? 

I get asked this quite a lot! But I don’t think the fact I was in Six played much of a role in getting this job at all. I auditioned from self-tapes and went through all the rounds, all the way to the end. I am so grateful for how being in Six has prepared me for this job though – I was an alternate, and stepped into a leading role every time I went on stage. This is a huge step up in responsibility and I really believe my experience in Six has helped prepare me for this.

How are rehearsals going and when is opening night? 

Rehearsals are going well! I am baffled at what we have achieved already! We have a wee while to go just yet, but our first preview is on August 27th – time is going to fly, I’m sure!

What scene or song are you most excited to perform in Why am I so Single? 

There are a few songs we can’t talk about just yet… but there are some REALLY exciting ones in there. I adore singing, Just In Case and can’t believe I get to perform it every day!

Which do you think you are best at dancing, singing, or acting? 

This is a hard one and I never really know how to answer it! I went to drama school labelling myself as a Singer/Actor who could dance, but I worked hard to bridge that gap at drama school. I’ve done all 3 for most of my life and love them all equally.

Is it an ambition to do TV and Film work in the future or is your love just the theatre? 

Of course, it would be SO cool to work in TV and Film, and i love the idea of it as a possibility in the future. However, I’ve worked really hard with Musical Theatre specifically in mind and so that is my main priority for now. 

Do you have any performing heroes? 

I don’t think I could name anyone specifically, but I seek inspiration from every piece of theatre I watch and every performer I work with. There is so much to learn from EVERYONE in this industry and I feel inspired by so many different people. 

Good luck for Why am I so Single. Do you have any opening night rituals and dressing room essentials? 

Thank you so much! I am so excited. I don’t have any specific rituals as such, but I like to connect with everyone and wish everyone a good show if I can. This is the biggest show I’ve worked on, so I’m sure I’ll develop new rituals as this job progresses. 

Over the Shoulder appreciates Leesa taking the time to talking to us and we wish her the best of luck for opening night, she is going to be awesome, we are sure! We hope to catch up again with Leesa to see what other projects she is doing in the future. 

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