He was pretty much forced into it! We went to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels together in New York and laughed ourselves silly. I was trying to think of a duet we could sing together that wouldn’t be too soppy and this seemed ideal. We had fun recording it and thought it could be nice as a little bonus tracks – if only for our mums!
Going back to the start of your career when did you decide that you wanted to be on the stage? Was it something you wanted to do from an early age?
My parents were involved with the local Amateur Dramatic Society and I grew up watching them in various productions including those by Gilbert & Sullivan and Rogers & Hammerstein. Then I began to play child roles in shows like South Pacific. The bug bit me badly and I found out it was something you could do as a grown-up job, so I did everything in my power to try and do it.
Which of your roles did you consider to be your big-break?
I was very lucky to be chosen straight from college (Guildford School of Aacting) to play the role of Marty in Grease and then went on to work at the Donmar on Into The Woods and then into the original cast of Mamma Mia, but I think my big break was The Witches of Eastwick. It was amazing to create a role from scratch and to be part of an original Cameron Mackintosh production.
So the process of creating a role and bringing it to the stage for the first time is something that you enjoy doing?
Definitely, although I have been lucky when I have taken over roles in productions as the directors have always allowed me to have my own ‘take’ on the character.
It’s just been announced that you are joined the US touring production of Mary Poppins as the lady herself. How did you get that role?
I was offered the role a few months ago. I did the tour of the UK in 2008 which I had a lot of fun doing. Then they just asked me to take over from Ashley Brown on the tour, which is a real thrill. It’s an amazing opportunity to travel around America and see the whole country, and I’m getting paid to do it as well!
Caroline's album 'Raise the Curtain' is available to buy from www.carolinesheen.com where you can also find details about both her Facebook & Twitter pages. The album will also be available to buy from Theatres where Caroline is appearing as Mary Poppins from 7th February 2010.
