Exclusive interview with Groan Ups actress Nancy Zamit
Groan Ups is a lot of comedic styles rolled into one. As the characters grow up, the comedic styles shift. It's been a lot of fun to create and bring this together. We do have our mischief-style farce in there (of course!) but there is a beautiful, moving storyline running through which really pins it all together in the last act. It’s great if you're looking to go to a Mischief show for the first time, as you get a taste of everything.
I was very lucky, as the artistic subjects were taken very seriously at my school. I got to take a small play to the Edinburgh Fringe when I was in sixth form. I was actually operating the lighting, but it was such a great introduction to the industry I was about to go into. (Or it was the time I walked into a basketball post in the middle of the playground...that taught me how to laugh at myself!)
Every show has been so different for me. The Play That Goes Wrong will always be our baby that we grew from a pub to Broadway. So many amazing memories in that, it's hard to beat. I was even secretly pregnant with my son for the last two weeks on Broadway so it will always have a huge place in my life. Peter Pan Goes Wrong was our first experience taking a show from stage to TV, which was unforgettable. Also, I think Tinkerbell is one of my favourite characters to play. The Comedy About A Bank Robbery allowed me to sing in a show for the first time, something I've wanted to do since I was very little. So they all have a special meaning for me in different ways. It’s impossible to choose one, that would be like picking a favourite child!
Laughing is one of the most important things in the world to me. It's the reason I work with Mischief Theatre. The reason I married my husband. The reason I have the friends that I have. I cannot tell you how much I love to laugh. What I like about making people laugh is knowing that you're spreading joy. That people aren't thinking about the stressful things in their life, they are just in that moment with you laughing at someone with no trousers on or something. Also, I think for us, it's a validation of our work. When people laugh in our show, it means we’re doing our jobs right and all the hard work has been worth it.
I'm up for anything really. If the script is good, it’s worth a crack. I'm always going to be drawn to a comedic role though. If I end up steering away from comedy parts, it will more likely be because I'm wanting to direct or choreograph things. I really enjoy that part of the process. Give me a directing job over Juliet any day of the week.
It's not a play… but I'm desperate to play Ursula from The Little Mermaid. That is my dream job. I would crush it. I even have the back fat.
It's very exciting. Each episode is very different whilst keeping the classic "goes wrong" style. We learnt a lot from doing our BBC Christmas specials in the past, so hopefully, the series will reflect that. The BBC have been great to work with and so accommodating to our crazy ideas. It's been extremely good fun and people always say if you have fun doing it, it really shows in the final product.
I think for the first act when we are six years old, there’s a lot of parroting phrases that their parents would have said. Almost like you are seeing an adult life through a child's eyes; you don't have to be a specific age to get that. Hopefully, it works as a comedic piece on its own. It's very naughty and lots of fun.
Every adult remembers their school years, fondly or not. Hopefully, we cover all the bases. The teenage years in the play are specific to the noughties but the feelings are the same as any teenager: first kisses, thinking you know it all, budding dreams and aspirations. Every adult can connect with that.
The adult years bind it all together. I honestly believe you don't have to be a specific age or generation to enjoy the show; the feelings are universal.
I'm very proud of the girls’ fight in The Play That Goes Wrong. Myself and Charlie Russell worked really hard putting that together in its initial stages. We wanted it to be raw and aggressive and funny, and it's great watching other girls do it now all over the world.
Because of my FABULOUSLY. B*TCHY. CHARACTER.
Tickets for Groan Ups showing at London's Vaudeville Theatre on sale from £24!
This brilliant comedy by Mischief Theatre will make you laugh yourself silly from beginning to end! Complete with stunning visuals, forced perspective, and high-quality actors from a company that goes above and beyond the "humour Richter scale," Groan Ups is certainly not to be missed on your West End wish list! Book your tickets for Groan Ups today to secure the best seats at the Vaudeville Theatre whilst stocks last!