We had a truly memorable evening on Monday as we welcomed West End actor Kate Leiper to The Abbey.

The sense of excitement and anticipation was electric as guests waited to hear Kate’s story of how she came to join the cast of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and got to play the lead role of Elphaba!

Reading-based Kate kindly came to offer insight and advice on a career in the creative arts, as well as share what it is actually like to play one of the most popular characters in theatre. There was no mistaking how popular Wicked is with the audience filling Richards Hall. As an ARCH event, it was a joy to welcome students from multiple schools across Reading, as well as Rabble Theatre Company, to share in this celebration of musical drama. It was particularly special to welcome students from local Junior Schools, including over 45 from our own, to also be inspired.

Kate was welcomed onto stage by The Abbey’s drama captains, Liza, Ella and Ariana before settling down into conversation with drama teacher Miss Elliott.

We were guided through her journey of applying to drama schools and the experience of training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts where she obtained a degree in Performing (Musical Theatre). Kate shared some insightful advice around ensuring that you find the drama school that is the best fit for you individually, and the importance of preparing for your interview, “Preparation is key, go in there and know exactly what you’re doing.”

Kate worked for a period on a cruise ship, which she enjoyed, and helped her save the money to afford to join an ensemble tour. She was cast in Marco Polo: An Untold Love Story (Shaw Theatre) and Loserville (Union Theatre). Her career continued to grow and Kate starred in the UK tour of We Will Rock You (Cover Killer Queen/Meat), the international tour of Jersey Boys (Lorraine) and the UK and European tour of Evita.

Kate was honest about how tough it can be to establish a career in theatre and stressed how important she thinks it is to have other interests and hobbies. Kates’s love of sport led her to become a trained fitness instructor, and her fitness career enabled her to relax more in drama auditions. “There are a lot of knock backs” and “if you have another passion you can still find joy and it takes the pressure off. So much isn’t about what you do, it’s about the job available and don’t take it personally.”

But what was it like when she got the call to say that she had been cast in the West End production of Wicked? “Amazing, it was my dream role, I just cried!” More than three thousand people auditioned and all leads and covers have to be approved by the American producers as well. Kate was ensemble and understudy ‘Elphaba’ and ‘Nessa’, and got to play the lead more than 50 times. She only left to start her maternity leave in the first week of February.

It was fascinating listening to the process of getting fitted for made to measure wigs, costume fittings and finding out what ‘a day in the life of Elphaba’ actually entails. A lot of water, voice checks, vocal warm ups and physio exercises, “you have to be in peak physical condition to play Elphaba.” Becoming ‘green’ starts at 5.15pm before company warm ups and parish notices, then it’s on to wigs and costume. And don’t think that Elphaba gets a rest during the interval – that’s time for make-up to be re-done!

How does Elphaba stay green? “Powder”. It takes as long to get off as it is to put on and you “cannot get it off your hands”. Kate has had her fair share of ‘looks’ on the train at her green hands on the commute home from Paddington to Reading!

Miss Elliott asked Kate what advice she has for any aspiring Elphabas and her response was “work on your voice! Your voice is a muscle, you have to do the work. Playing one of the most popular lead roles in theatre is hard, tiring, it does take it out of you and you need to look after yourself like an athlete.”

After watching a mesmerising performance of Kate singing ‘Defying Gravity’, there was a fantastic Q&A. Her favourite Wicked song to perform? “No Good Deed”, “Defying Gravity is amazing but has ‘next level’ pressure”. Most challenging? “The Wizard and I.” We found out which actresses inspire her, how much she loves the movie version of Wicked, how she handles setbacks and so much more. There was a powerful moment when Kate stressed the importance of not comparing yourself to others, as hard as that can be. She stressed that you need to focus on, and appreciate, your own skills and talent, and celebrate those of others rather than see them as competition. Only you can be you.

There were so many hands still in the air as we had to draw to a close, that Kate kindly stayed on to answer every single one before leaving. A clear sign of the impact that she had made on those in the room and her commitment to encouraging the next generation. She reflected how great the questions she was asked were and that it was “so nice seeing so many students really into the arts and a school that encourages it.”

Her parting words of advice to all? “Practise, practise, practise!”