Interview: ''Once You're Watching, You Don't Stop Laughing!': Actor Joanna Woodward on Bringing Ulla to the West End in THE PRODUCERS

After a sell-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory last year, The Producers returns to London, this time in the West End at the Garrick Theatre. Recently, we had the chance to talk with Joanna Woodward, who returns to The Producers in the role of Ulla, an actress from Sweden who dreams of being on Broadway. We discussed what it’s been like to return to the show and how this particular production has given Ulla more autonomy and authority than ever before. 

What made you want to be a part of this production of The Producers - had you been a fan of the original movie or the musical before joining the cast?

I honestly couldn't believe my luck! When I was about sixteen at college, we went to New York for our college trip. We got to do a workshop with one of the cast from The Producers, and to go and watch the show. A sixteen-year-old watching that on Broadway, then listening to the soundtrack religiously and loving it, wondering if one day I could do an Ulla. Fast forward to this moment - it's still blowing my mind! I don't know if it will ever sink in that I'm playing this role in the West End. I just feel so honoured and excited!

For those who might be unfamiliar with the show, can you tell us a bit about it and the role that you play of Ulla?

Yes! So the show, first of all, is hilarious and very non-PC. You can't have a bad time watching - or being in - it. It follows the journey of a producer called Max, who's a bit of a scoundrel, and it's all going down the pan. He partners up with an accountant called Leo, who would love to be a producer on Broadway. The pair of them figure out that they could make more money with a flop show than with a hit show, so they set about trying to create the worst show on Broadway. As you can imagine, hilarity ensues.

We meet so many fabulous characters! And Ulla is this Swedish bombshell who has come to New York to get her name in lights. She just arrives at their door and auditions there and then, and they cast her! She gets to be the star of the show. She's such a brilliant character, and I've really tried to evolve her - the evolution of Ulla from the original film to the musical, to the musical film to now, is very interesting. I've tried to give her autonomy and confidence and power in what she's doing, which is really important to me - and really fun to play!

What has your preparation for the role been like?

Well, we've had about four months in between, so I've just been trying to get really fit, because it's quite dancey, and I never really class myself as a full on dancer before! So we've been singing the songs at home, preparing and getting fit and eating well.

What was it like to perform it at the Menier Chocolate Factory?

It was amazing! It's so intimate - at times, that can be quite nerve-wracking, because Ulla is such a larger-than-life character. We're literally on the laps of the audience at the Chocolate Factory, which is amazing, maybe not for the audience when they're being spat on! [Laughs] But to be able to see everybody's faces, to be able to reach out and touch them with such a huge show and keep it so intimate, was really magic. And for us all to be bundled together into that tiny space, we all got very close very quickly. We had to have choreography backstage to make sure we weren't getting in each other's way! And then the band was up on these two platforms above us. It was very fun!

And now you're bringing it to the West End! What is that like?

It's just a dream. It's so exciting! I popped into the Garrick the other day, and it's just the perfect space for our production, because although it is obviously bigger and it's the West End, the stage feels like it's right on top of you as an audience member, and it's still retains that really intimate feel that we that we love to have with this production. But it’ll be really nice to look up and see those balconies when I'm full “showgirl!”

You mentioned a bit about how the character of Ulla has changed since the original film. What has it been like to give her more of that autonomy in this production? 

It's been really thrilling! And Patrick Marber, the director, has been with me. Even from the audition, he asked me how I felt about the role in that way. No shade to anyone who's played it before, because it's always been an excellent part, but it's really important to me to bring some empowerment to the part of Ulla, and I really enjoy that. She knows that men are looking at her, and she knows how to use it.

She flaunts it - that's the song, right? [Laughs] She knows how to get on top - for want of a better phrase - and she enjoys being the centre of attention. She just oozes confidence. And for me, that's such an exciting challenge, because I don't think any of us ever feel 100% confident all the time. So to step into a character that is like, “I am here and you are going to listen to me sing because I am fabulous,” is really a lovely way to spend the day!

I feel like it must be a confidence boost, right?

It just has to be - there's no way out, really! She's here, she's proud and she's ready to take Broadway over. And we enhanced the love story as well! We've tried to be honest and bring some human qualities to the love story between Leo and Ulla, and we're really excited about that.

Do you have a favourite song from the show, either to perform or to listen to?

Obviously, “When You Got It, Flaunt It” is my absolute favourite to perform! Andy performing “Betrayed” is a masterclass. There's so many, I don't think I'm going to be able to pick a favourite! Mark tap dancing and doing “I Wanna Be a Prodcuer” . . . And I love watching “Keep It Gay” from the wings, because it's an explosion of colour and personalities. 

What is it like to be part of the cast that's bringing the show back to the West End after so long? 

We're all really thrilled! When we got together last time, when we were rehearsing, there was an element of feeling the weight of our predecessors on our shoulders, because it was such a hit. That was a bit scary at times, but the core group of principals, we're really supportive of each other, and Patrick has been so supportive in us bringing our own energy to the roles. It's felt really safe and amazing and fun. We just got to remember to have fun, because if you're taking these rehearsals really seriously, then we're probably doing it a little bit wrong!

What do you hope audiences take away from The Producers?

I want every audience member to leave with a massive smile on their face. You know when you feel warm and bellyful from laughing so much? That's what I hope people walk away with. It's hard and scary right now, and we can take a couple hours to have a proper laugh at something - laugh at ourselves and laugh at the world - and enjoy the lovely music.

And finally, how would you describe the show in one word?

Sensational! It’s funny, there's glitz, there's glamour, there's frivolity. It's so fast-paced. Once you're in that seat watching, you don't stop laughing - that's for sure!

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