British singer and actress Ruffelle dazzled the crowds on stage in Hollywood last week when she gave the Los Angeles showbiz set an exclusive peep at her one-woman stage performance – ‘Frances Ruffelle Lives in New York’ (in LA) at The Rockwell Table and Stage in Los Feliz.
Guests on the night included British Actress Michelle Collins, Dancing with the Stars and Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli, Film Producers Margret Raven and Jón Óttar and actor Craig Robert Young.
“I called the show ‘Frances Ruffelle Lives in New York,’ because I moved to the city. Originally, it was called Frances Ruffelle “Live” in New York, but we added the ‘S’ as a play on words, Live, to Lives. Since I now live in New York.”
The Tony Award-winning Broadway star began working as a professionally at the age 12, landing roles in films such as The Wildcats of St. Trinian’s and one of Film Four’s first movies for television, P’tang, Yang, Kipperbang, back in 1982.
But it wasn’t until she landed her first West End role, in the Terrance Rattigan play “The Sleeping Prince” opposite Omar Sharif, that Ruffelle started to get the recognition she deserved. Soon after during the run of The Sleeping Prince, Frances found herself practicing on her roller-skates backstage after landing a starring role as Dinah “the dining car,” in the original company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Starlight Express,” directed by Trevor Nunn. This lead to Nunn casting her as the first ever Eponine in the Cameron Mackintosh production of Les Misérables, co-directed by Nunn and John Caird.
Not only was Ruffelle in the original London cast in London in 1985, but she went on to star on Broadway in the U.S. in 1987 and eventually won a prestigious Tony Award for her outstanding performance.
Now after many years of performing in shows like Chicago, Les Mis, and Starlight Express, to name a few Frances decided to do something, that SHE wanted to do. So, she set about putting together a new woman show – Frances Ruffelle Live!
“It’s semi-autobiographical, it’s based on me, a little theatrical license going on in there,”she said. She is quick to point out however, it’s not a cabaret. “Though it’s a story in a cabaret space.”
“It’s kind of starts out leading the audience into thinking it might be a cabaret, but it’s not. You have to listen to every word as the narrative unfolds,”she added.
“In between the songs I have written vignettes, and the vignettes move the story along. I am very proud this show.”
And so, she should be, it truly is a one-of-a-kind!
She co-created the mini-masterpiece with Gwyneth Herbert, who also arranged the music for the show – already a sell-out in New York, where it has been running for just over a year.
“I’ve been doing one-woman shows for about ten years now,”Frances said. “I have also directed, I directed Olivier award winner, Paul Baker’s show. I love directing, I’d love to do more directing, perhaps a big musical.”
Sean Borg: Apart from the obvious…Moving to New York City, I feel there is a deeper meaning to show. What was the drive behind making it happen?
Frances Ruffelle :When I perform on stage…for me it’s all about truth and challenge…I am not scared to bare my soul onstage… I moved to New York for a challenge after a heartbreak!
So quite simply…the show is from heartbreak to empowerment… finding the strength, hope and humor in life…it’s dark but it’s funny!
SB:I guess being a Broadway singing star, New York City is an obvious choice to live. But why not live in Los Angeles, that’s obvious choice for an actress?
FR: Very tempting to live in the beautiful sunshine of Los Angeles..but theatre is my thing..I go to the theatre at least three times a week and I love the Broadway community and to be able to be at a theatre in 10 minutes on the subway from my apartment. I’ve quite a few British tv/film credits.. as I started my career in TV before theatre…so I’m not ruling out something fun like a TV sitcom…but I’ll let that happen if it does, I can always jump on a plane! Right now, though, NYC is right for me… I am creating a new play (with music) with Alan Cummin.. in New York…giving myself a challenge.
SB: I think ‘Frances Ruffelle Lives in New York,’ is a show without boundaries. Do you see yourself as a bit of a rebel?
FR:I probably am a rebel… though…I have brought up three children… they are wonderful adults now…so I can’t be too bad! I don’t really have boundaries on stage, and I think danger makes for exciting entertainment… hope you agree.
SB: Your powerful vocals impact the audience with a striking resemblance (and quality) of Gwen Stefani and Kate Bush. Is it intentional to sound a little more edgy than most traditional musical stars?
FR: Ah, (Gwen and Kate) I love both of them…But I’m flattered to be compared. But I try to be myself!
SB: Can you explain the vignettes between the songs, as they certainly drive the piece the along?
FR: I sat down with my friend Gwyneth Herbert with a bottle of good Claret and we came up with the vignettes… inspired by one of her favorite French poets Jacques Prevert… my songs have a real French flavor to them so this style felt right for my piece… we have written more vignettes over the last year and it does drive the show and tell the story…and I love the seriousness of them and the odd comedy moments that come out of no-where… I am loving writing the comedy… I never knew I could before… but it’s just exploding out of me… I think it’s as I’ve learned to accept my own situation in life and with more ease. The way we put the vignettes to music people have described it as being like old 50’s Beat Movement.
SB: Being part of Showbiz world can be a rollercoaster of emotions. Some days are good, but often there is disappointment. Have the ups and downs of your world impassioned this show?
FR: Ooh yes… I believe a rollercoaster makes a show… ups and downs highs and lows… in emotion and also in rhythm and energy. I try to keep people on the edge of their seats… always chopping and changing so that they don’t know what is coming next… My own rollercoaster life has certainly inspired this show… also, I have a short attention span… so I create shows for people like me…snappy and changeable…and I think that’s what works for everyone… well I do hope so!
SB: It goes without saying, are a truly talented artist. Are your ambitions today as big as they were twenty years ago?
FR: I think my ambitions are bigger now… But maybe my ambitions are smaller than others… When I was younger, I was thrilled with the roles I was offered but also surprised…I didn’t expect them and though I loved playing Eponine so much, I was nervous of success back then and I didn’t really have much to offer… I left school at 15 and didn’t read… I feel that now later in life I have so much more. I am not ridiculously ambitious, but I love performing my shows… If I can do them more and more and worldwide, I’d be thrilled… and Carnegie Hall would be rather nice!
SB: The Audience certainly gets excited when you start singing ‘On My Own,’ a song you made famous from ‘Les Misérables,’ that was clever.
FR: It thrills me when people know it and mouth the words and even sing along. I feel super lucky to have a song associated with me… and such a famous one too!
SB:Is the song as dear to you today as it was then?
FR:Although I went through a little patch where I felt I couldn’t sing it one more time, I’ve come out the other side and have embraced it again and sing it now, not as a little girl anymore, but as the woman I am now.
SB:We only had you in Hollywood, for one night only! Not nearly enough! When will the show be back in Los Angeles?
FR:Ah, that is so kind… I am excited to say that I am planning a Californian tour… Dates to be confirmed. Watch this space!
For more details check out
Frances Ruffelle – Official website http://www.francesruffelle.com
Follow Frances @francesruffelle Twitter
Frances Ruffelle – https://www.facebook.com/FrancesRuffelle/
And Instagram – Frances Ruffelle (@francesruffelle)
