BWW Interviews: Director, Producer, Choreographer Arlene Phillips About MIDNIGHT TANGO!

She's better known to younger audiences for her TV work, but Arlene Phillips has had a glittering career in the theatre - and even now she continues to diversify, producing the new UK tour of Midnight Tango.

"It's its third year out, so it's a well-oiled show," she says. "I'll visit it at different places - I'll see it whenever I can."

It's not like she's putting her feet up, but she's enjoying it.

"I love it. I get swept along by the brilliant dancing, the music, the story - I just love seeing the show.

"As a producer, you're taking a risk on the show's success," she says. "It's interesting, becoming a producer. It wasn't really something I had intended to do or ever really thought about, but I'd directed and choreographed the production of Saturday Night Fever that went out on tour, and Adam Spiegel asked me if I'd like to co-produce a dance show with him. I've always loved Vincent [Simone] and Flavia [Cacace], so I said of course!

"So you take the idea of the production, and then you work out how to produce it. Who will be the best writer? What will the story be? You look at the whole thing, the overall picture of the show, and work towards making it the very best you can."

Phillips also choreographed two numbers at the Olivier Awards this year - host Sheridan Smith's opening performance, and then guest star Matthew Morrison's spot. The latter wasn't very straightforward to arrange.

"We did it remotely! I sent him the DVD of what I wanted him to do, he learnt it in America, came over here, we had an afternoon of rehearsals together, and we went from there. It's the most unusual job I've ever done!"

And she still keeps an eye out for the shows she's choreographed in the past. "The Sound of Music is on tour internationally, that's still going on," she says. "Starlight Express is on all around the world; I've been very lucky that the shows that I've done have gone on to have the same production created in other places. I have wonderful assistants and associates who put on the show I would want.

"This year I have The Wizard of Oz in Toronto, going to America; We Will Rock You; Starlight Express celebrating its 25th year in Bochum...everybody dreams that their production will be the iconic production that will go on to other places. That's wonderful. That's what everyone wants to have."

Arlene Phillips is the producer of Midnight Tango, which is on tour around the UK and opens at the Opera House, Manchester on July 23

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