Posted by Christie Parkin on 09/08/2017
Exciting news from Bridget Costello, our 2013 AIMES Awards Winner.
It fills me with great joy to write this letter to you today. I am thrilled to tell you that I will be Cover Christine in Phantom of the Opera on the West End from this September – a dream of mine since a young age. I have been with the company for almost one year in the role of Swing. It has been an amazing experience and I have learnt a great deal about the industry and myself.
I will begin rehearsals for Cover Christine early September. I am very fortunate in my new role in that I get definite performance dates, as well as covering for sickness. I will be able to invite my agent, casting directors, and of course family and friends, to see me as Christine – one of the best known leading ladies in the West End. This is a huge opportunity in my career and I intend on making the most of every minute, particularly as the first Kiwi Christine since the show started in 1986 (to my knowledge!).
Christine is a role I have dreamed of since I was a little girl. I have been singing her songs, ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’, ‘Think of Me’ and ‘All I Ask of You’ my whole life. My preparations are already in full swing as I study the role through singing and acting lessons. I have already had costume fittings and my shoes are currently being made for me. Each time I try on a new costume it feels a little more real, however the reality of going on stage as Christine in front of 1,200 people at Her Majesty’s Theatre is yet to fully sink in!
When I’m not on stage as Christine, I will have my own ensemble track that I will perform. This track is one of the six tracks I have covered this year as Swing. During August, I will continue performing in my current role as Swing, whilst rehearsing my new ensemble track with the new cast.
The new cast will open September 4th, and my first show as Christine will be at some point in October. If you were ever in London, please let me know and I would love to get you tickets.
I would like to thank you once again for your incredible support in helping me get to where I am today. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Warm regards,
Bridget Costello
