Exclusive: Georgina Hopson Shares Her Dream Role Experience

A Dream Role That Came True

For actress Georgina Hopson, playing Anya in the musical Anastasia has been a dream come true. She describes the role as something she “dreamt about for a very long time and never thought it would actually happen.” Now, having stepped into the spotlight as the lead, she finds herself in a position that feels surreal.

Sitting down in her dressing room at the Sydney Lyric Theatre before a Wednesday evening show, Georgina shared her thoughts on what it means to be part of such an iconic production. She said being in the role is “greater and more exciting” than she could have ever imagined. “It’s beyond my wildest imagination of what I ever thought was possible,” she added, describing moments on stage as “pinch me” experiences.

Georgina has built a successful career in music theatre, with notable roles including Rose Dewitt-Bukater in Titanique and Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera. Her experience has helped her prepare for the emotionally demanding role of Anya, which has captivated audiences.

“It’s a very vulnerable position to be in, and it’s challenging in all the ways that it could be challenging – physically, vocally, and emotionally,” she explained. She also mentioned that she only gets about ten minutes off stage per act, making the performance even more intense.

The Pre-Show Ritual

To ensure she’s ready for every performance, Georgina follows a detailed pre-show ritual. This includes steam inhalation to moisturise her vocal cords, a physical warm-up involving cardio and stretching, and a vocal warm-up to get her voice in top shape.

On days when she doesn’t feel as energetic, she turns to dance music to boost her mood. “At the minute I’m obsessed with Delta Goodrem’s Eurovision entry song!” she laughed.

After the show, Georgina focuses on winding down. She listens to a playlist of chilled, low-key songs to help bring her back to earth after the adrenaline rush of performing.

Looking Ahead

Now that she’s ticked off Anastasia from her bucket list, Georgina is already setting her sights on the next challenge. She expressed a strong interest in performing in a Sondheim show, praising the writer’s work. “His writing is so fabulous. I would take any and every Sondheim show because he, the man, is a genius,” she said.

Steven Sondheim is known for works like Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods. Georgina also hopes to be part of Ragtime, a show she previously performed in. “It was written by the same people who wrote Anastasia. I loved that show so much that I want to revisit it!” she said.

A New Chapter

Georgina’s journey in Anastasia has been both challenging and rewarding. From the physical demands of the role to the emotional depth required, she has embraced every aspect of the performance. Her dedication and passion have not gone unnoticed, with audiences raving about her portrayal of Anya.

As she continues to grow as an actress, Georgina remains focused on the future. With her eyes set on Sondheim’s works and a desire to explore new roles, she shows no signs of slowing down.