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Interviewer
Please welcome to the stage the lovely and talented Georgina Castle, everybody. Fresh from a Grecian Hendu.
Georgina Castle
Yes, very Sophie and Mama Mi Lovely.
Interviewer
We'll talk about it. We'll talk about it. But first we're gonna have a little bit of encore of one of your previous musical theater roles. Here you go.
Georgina Castle
I'm gonna sing a little song from nine to five. And this was a show that I did before lockdown happened. Covid happened. And I just did it for 12 weeks. So I feel like I haven't quite got what I wanted to get out of it. So I'm gonna sing Backwards Barbie. And this song happens when Violet and Judy go for lunch and they deliberately don't invite Doralee and then SHE SINGS.
Interviewer
THIS Georgina Castle, everybody. Beautiful. So you didn't get to do that show?
Georgina Castle
No. So I was meant to do it in town at the. At the Savoy Theatre. We've just finished. Finished Mean Girls. And then lockdown. Lockdown happened. So it never, never got to do it in town, which was. Which was gutting. I mean, people went through harder things in that time, but that was my little. Ouch.
Interviewer
So we all got to enjoy your brilliant performance as Regina George in Mean Girls over the past year, and I've seen you in a few shows leading up to that, but I felt like that was the first opportunity I had to be like, oh, this is what Georgina can do on stage. Did you feel like that was a moment of arrival for you in the industry in the same way?
Georgina Castle
Yes, actually, I think. I think so, because everything that I'd done sort of before had been a much smaller sing, and I love singing. Like, singing was sort of where my passion started when I was three or four, and then it sort of, you know, turned into acting, and that's what I really connected with. But I'd been so desperate to sort of, you know, do the fun big notes and the mean, evil bitch parts, and I got to do it all in one. I was like, okay, great, here we go.
Interviewer
You were the name that kept coming up when people were being asked, like, who is the most unlike their character on stage?
Georgina Castle
Which is always such a relief. We get that question a lot. And it's like, oh, who's most like their character or the least, like. And I'm like, if you say me, that's my career over. We're done. But no, I think it was actually something that we had workshops on in the beginning and that we. We talked quite a lot about, because I don't know if anyone feels the same, but sometimes if I'm in a show, you can take little bits of your character with you and you can take it home with you, or, you know, they sort of merge into one. And it's happened before, like when I was Sophie and Mamma Mia, and I sort of only dressed in white and blue, like I was living on a Greek island. And I'm like, God, I don't want any of Regina to seep in in a bad way. And we sort of had workshops about, you know, staying disconnected from our character. I think they must have been worried that I was going to be a total asshole for the whole company, but.
Interviewer
Really, they're making eye contact with you.
Georgina Castle
They're looking at me. Yeah, Exactly.
Interviewer
Sophia, Mamma Mia was your West End debut in like 2017.
Georgina Castle
Yeah, I know. Long time ago now. So that was a really, really special one because, well, it was my West End debut and it's Mamma Mia. And I'd always. I'd got Swedish grandparents, so for them ABBA are like Jesus. ABBA is like the oracle and Ikea, like the two things that they worship. Yeah. So that was a really special one for my family and which meant that it was a special one for me.
Interviewer
Was Maz your mama in that?
Georgina Castle
No, Maz was my Tanya.
Interviewer
Oh, my gosh. Yes.
Georgina Castle
She was amazing. She was amazing. As Tanya and I would watch her side stage for does your mother know that you're out the way? She has an audience in the palm of her hand is just outrageous. It's like very, very few people have that ability. But I then stayed to play Sophie and I remember Maz at that time really wanted to play Donna. So she put both of our headshots next to each other and sent it into the producers and was like, look, we should do it together as a pair. I think just because we had the same color hair, that's it. She doesn't really look like my mama because she comes up to. She comes up to there.
Interviewer
She's who I think I'm trying to look like every time I get highlights and like grow my hair longer.
Georgina Castle
Well, also you have this like lovely natural blow dry flick at the front of your hair.
Interviewer
I'm just going for the Maz Murray.
Georgina Castle
That's all I'm trying to do the coiffed Maz people.
Interviewer
Like, my dad has been like, looking a bit George Michael and I'm like, it's not what I'm aiming for.
Georgina Castle
No, it's Maz. It works.
Interviewer
What was, what was that experience like of doing Mummy? That was after it had gone to the Novello.
Georgina Castle
Yeah.
Interviewer
So what was it like being in a show that was that established, that was that much of a machine and you're joining an already going production versus starting something new?
Georgina Castle
Yeah, well, I think I just. I didn't know any different because my first job out of drama school had been Dirty Dancing, which is such a, you know, recognizable show as is. As is Mamma Mia. So I was spoiled and I was used to having these amazing, amazing audiences like, like those guys over there who've been to Mamma Mia a few times. So I didn't know. I didn't know any different. But I think you sort of naturally try to put your own spin on it and just, you know, don't base it on anyone else. And hopefully, hopefully I did that.
Interviewer
Yeah. And then there's another show that we have to talk about because I think that you are the first Mickey Jo Theater Live at the Phoenix Arts guest who is an alumnus of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella at the Gillian Lynn. Oh, yes, I think you're right. There's a fearful hush has just gone throughout the room.
Georgina Castle
I think people never know quite how to react. They're like, oh, maybe they saw it and thought it was okay, or they've heard that it was a little bit tense backstage, shall we say? No, actually, mostly. Mostly it was amazing. And the overriding feeling I have about that whole job is just I was so, so grateful to have something to look forward to in lockdown and something to work towards. And my audition happened seven months into lockdown. I think it was the August of 2020, and it was at the Palladium on stage in front of Andrew Lloyd Webber. And I was like, well, there's nothing like throwing yourself back into it, is it? And it was just the least nervous I've ever been for an audition because I was so connected with the joy and I was so excited to just be back on a stage again and again. I never thought I'd get it. I always seem to get the jobs that I think I will never get because I must just be really, really relaxed. And I was like, no, this. This won't be me. But it was.
Interviewer
How did you feel about the wig and costume when that eventually came together?
Georgina Castle
Oh, my God. Well, when they first said you're going to have a blonde asymmetrical blue bob, I thought.
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Interviewer
I need a coffee.
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Georgina Castle
My nose can't handle that. Yeah, very, very specific structure here. But when they put it on, I loved it. I absolutely loved it. And Laura Baldwin, who was my other stepsister, I mean, when we saw the picture, she had this amazing long, long blonde hair with, like, this little pink bit. And I was like, okay, she's gonna look amazing. But in the end, you know, I loved it. And I loved that we were allowed to be different rather than just a double act that were carbon copies of each other.
Interviewer
Yeah, yeah. And for all of everything that happened on the show and all of the drama and whatnot, and all those people speculating on social media, I don't know who that was.
Georgina Castle
Who was that guy who.
Interviewer
No, that's not what I was going to ask. It was one of those shows. And there's been a couple like this. Like the original Spring Awakening and When in the Heights was in London, where everyone from that company has gone on to do really great things. And, like, Georgina Honora was in the mix there, and Lauren Byrne. Yeah, like.
Georgina Castle
And Georgia Tapp as well. Like, obviously, our Cinderella was Carrie Hope Fletcher, but Georgina. Oh, Lauren Burn. I mean, everyone was just amazing. And obviously Vic's HB was there, but her cover was Michelle Bishop, who was equally amazing, and Jess Curtin, who was Rebecca Trehan's cover. I mean, it was just like, yeah, she's got into Cabaret. Who? And she is unbelievable. I saw her Schneider the other day, and she's outrageous. You got to go catch her in that. But we would. We were so spoiled with the people. And I think we got so close as a company because there was a lot of outside drama happening sort of around us. And in a weird way, you sort of forget what it is because ultimately you do. You take away the good stuff. But, yeah, to find out we were closing at the interval was a little bit rough. I sort of just. I actually had a little bit of a panic attack. And I had this aura ring, which I don't know if you guys have heard of it. Have you heard of the aura? Yeah. And it measures your heart rate, and this is at the interval, and it sent a little alert to me to sort of say, are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital? Because I've got asthma. So it's connected to that because my heart just went bang. But we move on. Everything happens for a reason. But that act two was. That was a little ropey.
Interviewer
And your act two in Cinderella was My favorite part of your character arc because I remember when you got. When it was announced that you were going to be Regina. I remember thinking back to Cinderella sort of beyond Elf, beyond Dirty Dancing and thinking, oh, I remember that moment that we can take a mama.
Georgina Castle
When I get four notes to like sing how I like to sing. And I was like, but there is a lot of Marie in Regina. I. I love it when directors let me be a bit goofy because I'm not naturally like Regina. Like, I don't have her coolness in any way. So when I can sort of then be a little bit weird or a little bit silly or, you know, a bit drunk or in. In mean girls a little bit high. There's a recurring theme that's what comes naturally to me.
Interviewer
Clearly it's painkillers. It's about painkillers.
Georgina Castle
Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yes. I love to be silly Elf might.
Interviewer
Have been the next time I saw you on stage. And is this where you and the lovely, very talented Simon Lipkin met?
Georgina Castle
It is for the very, very first time.
Interviewer
Which is a concept, I think. Not that he. I mean, he's a charming, wonderful, very talented man.
Georgina Castle
But he was also buddy the elf.
Interviewer
Being an elf and being like, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Georgina Castle
What was it? The curly toed shoes or the like terrible red Trumpian wig? I was like, something about it was doing it for me. No, I actually, I know exactly what it was. He's so bloody talented. He's amazing. And he was the first person that I'd worked opposite, actually, apart from Maz, who is totally unafraid to play experiment, have it be different. I mean, I think anyone that has seen Simon in a show sort of knows that you never quite know what you're going to get. And I mean, sometimes he'll go off for five or six minutes on this sort of doing this stand up thing and you've got the stage management freaking out because it's like, we've got to calm down. Like, Simon, shut up. But he's just very, very. Yeah. Talented. But I think it really was the red wig.
Interviewer
Yeah, yeah. And the two of you are getting married this year?
Georgina Castle
Yes, we're getting married in September. I mean, funny because I was literally singing a song in it called Never Fall in Love with an Elf and I was like, too late. Yeah. Shit. It happened.
Interviewer
Yeah. You tried to applaud for the wedding. I'll let you applaud for love.
Georgina Castle
Oh, yay. Thanks, guys.
Interviewer
Yeah, I'm very excited and in anticipation of that. You've just come back From a very Mamma Mia esque Hindu in Greece.
Georgina Castle
Yes. Which I did not connect the dots, but when I was there, we had this night at the villa where we had some food and we were just sort of going to do these, you know, classic Hindu games. We do dirty jokes and you mess around and there's penis straws and all of that. Cute. So it was all going really, really well. And then the music stops working and I was like, oh, God, this is like, this is our. The main night. Like, what the hell is happening? And then all of a sudden I hear Rebecca Locke going for one night and one night only, Georgie's Dynamos. And I just was like. And then it was only then that I clicked. I'm like, oh, my God. Yeah, we're in Greece and we're on this beautiful Greek island and I'm engaged and I'm Sophie and we're in Mamma Mia. And it was just brilliant. So it was Becky Locke, Laura Baldwin and my best friend, Emily Stubbs. And they did the whole of Super Trooper, the whole routine. Yeah. And it was, it was so camp and brilliant.
Interviewer
And not that I ever wish for life after Maz Murray and Mamma Mia. Because she is just it. But Becky Locke, like, Maz has done another part. Yeah, she was a Rosie.
Georgina Castle
She was a Rosie.
Interviewer
She should go back and be a Donna.
Georgina Castle
100%. I. That's what I'm. I'm putting into the world. Because both of them as well have such funny bones and it's such an amazing comedy role as well as being super dramatic. And I love it when those things merge, which is why I'm so excited to go see that emu musical combining my favorite things. Emus.
Interviewer
Yeah, perfect. But then, I mean, we have to talk about Mean Girls and this amazing year that you've spent playing one of these fantastic roles and meeting Tina Fey and being on stage at the Savoy and being revealed in a silhouette and pushed forwards on that table. Did you just feel like a rock star?
Georgina Castle
Yes, every single time. And actually, because there is nowhere to hide when playing Regina, there's nowhere to put your nerves. Like, even with Sophie and Mamma Mia, she sort of, you know, you can run around and use that energy in a positive way. But I think as well, the way that I wanted to do Regina was very still. You know, they talk all the time about her being an apex predator and I'm like, well, then I better be that. And it's, you know, that stillness. So the nervousness. I mean, I remember on the first night Though my knee on that table, and, you know, you're not strapped in on any of it. And sometimes people push it a little quick or the wheels aren't working. And I was like, jesus, this could go so horribly wrong. But I have this perfume and that as soon as I spray it before the show, and it's the last thing I do in my sort of getting ready routine. It's like, vroom, Regina George. And it just helps.
Interviewer
Amazing. And then what was the. How emotional was the closing experience?
Georgina Castle
You know what it was? I actually could not hold it together. I held it together the whole way through the show because Worldburn, which is the big song that she gets to sing in Act 2, is not at the beginning of the show. So I was like, I need to do that at the end. And then I can. Then I can just let it go. But it is. I grieve the ending of every show and especially every character. And it's. Obviously, it's been such an exciting year for me, getting to do such an exciting big opening of a new show and to play Regina George has just been wild. But there was also, if I'm being honest, at the end of it, you know, some sense of relief. Not because I don't love the show, but because it's been. It does. It does take over your. Your life.
Interviewer
You're allowed to enjoy finishing running the marathon.
Georgina Castle
I think you can sort of celebrate that you've. That you've done it. Yeah, yeah, for sure. But it was a big, like, lifestyle change, and I love a drink, so it's nice that I can now relax a little bit and not worry about doing Big Cheese. Yeah, see, it's gone. Nothing left.
Interviewer
What was it like getting to meet and work with Tina Fey?
Georgina Castle
Amazing. Absolutely amazing. She was so present the whole way through the journey, which, you know, we weren't sure if you can expect that, especially when it's someone who's such a huge star and she's really busy and was releasing this. This other show on Netflix, but she was really present and really, really cared. I've worked on shows before where the director is sort of commenting, oh, I'm just doing this to pay the bills. And you're like, wow, that doesn't breed an inspiring room. Whereas her and Jeff loved their product so much that it was really, really contagious. And it's just amazing to see her work. And she was so critical of her work. Like, if a joke didn't land, obviously we'd all go, well, it's. It's because of us. And it is because of us. But she would. She would be like, no, no, no, I can make it better. I can do this, I can do that. She was so keen to put it in all of our voices, which was just amazing. And she'd be writing. She has like 50 punchlines for every moment and they just come to her and I'm like, wow, such an incredible brain. Amazing.
Interviewer
Yeah. But the sadness of the closure of Mean Girls is not too prolonged because you have another stage show coming up later this year. We had the lovely Josh Sinclair here last month telling us a little bit about it, but what else can you tell us about 50 First Dates, the musical?
Georgina Castle
Well, I can't tell you that much because I've got no clue. I mean, actually, that's not true. I did read the script and it made me cry at the end, which is always a good sign. I think it is heartbreakingly beautiful. So, as I've said before, you know, if we don't fuck it up, it should be. It should be beautiful. And I think I'm excited to play a character that's also really different from. From Regina. She's. She's very sweet and wholesome. She doesn't, you know, doesn't let anyone walk over her. But she has a really, really beautiful heart and she's funny and goofy and silly and. Yeah, all my favorite things.
Interviewer
Yeah. Amazing. Well, congratulations on a brilliant year spent in Mean Girls. Best of luck for the upcoming wedding with you and the wonderful Simon.
Georgina Castle
Thank you.
Interviewer
Are there any musical theater elements planned? Who's singing at this wedding?
Georgina Castle
Well, this is the thing. This is what a couple of people have been asking us. They're like, surely this is going to be rotating and we do have a band and we have said to everyone, like, if you want to get up and sing a song, get up and sing a song. So I feel like it will be a little bit stagey, a little Jordan Luke Gages, but we're not anywhere as glamorous. We're in Shoreditch.
Interviewer
Listen, I mean, Aaron and I are allegedly planning a wedding at the same time. I say allegedly because we're doing a really bad job planning it. We are engaged.
Georgina Castle
Yeah, but September. You're getting married in September. No, no, no, that's very quick.
Interviewer
No, we're getting married when we start planning and doing something about it. But we'll be. We'll take notes from all of the various musical theatre weddings that are happening throughout the year.
Georgina Castle
But we do have actually Jamie Moscato singing our first dance song which is kind of. That's kind of cool. He's whizzing over from Gatsby, bless him. Him and Amber Davis are getting on a bus.
Interviewer
Oh, that's sweet.
Georgina Castle
After their show. Which will be fun.
Interviewer
That's sweet. Even more. Even more intense than doing West End live on a two show day.
Georgina Castle
Yeah. Oh my God. Exactly.
Interviewer
The Georgina Castle sign.
Georgina Castle
Gotta get the performance. Yeah. And we're running a tight schedule on the wedding day.
Interviewer
Do you have stage management involved?
Georgina Castle
Well, yes. Too. Listen, I'm used to getting at five the beginners that need to be be kept updated on the timing.
Interviewer
It's going to be structured. It's going to be. Well, enjoy. Have a lovely wedding.
Georgina Castle
Thank you very much.
Interviewer
And I can't wait to come and see you in 50 first dates.
Georgina Castle
Thank you.
Interviewer
As everyone here will as well. Thank you so much. For 10 more seconds, I'm Mickey Jo Theatre. Oh my God. Hey, thanks for watching. Have a stagey day.
Georgina Castle
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Podcast: MickeyJoTheatre
Host: MickeyJoTheatre
Guest: Georgina Castle
Date: August 17, 2025
In this lively and heartfelt interview, MickeyJoTheatre sits down with West End star Georgina Castle to reflect on her journey across some of theatre's biggest shows, her process approaching famously complex characters (like Regina George in Mean Girls), war stories from backstage, surviving the industry through lockdown, and her excitement for upcoming milestones—both professional (her role in 50 First Dates: The Musical) and personal (her imminent wedding). The conversation seamlessly blends behind-the-curtain insight, light-hearted banter, and a deep appreciation for the joy and challenge of life in musical theatre.
On her Swedish ABBA roots:
"For them ABBA are like Jesus. ABBA is like the oracle and Ikea, like the two things that they worship."
(05:00, Georgina Castle)
On letting go of Regina George:
"There is nowhere to hide when playing Regina, there’s nowhere to put your nerves…that stillness. So the nervousness…sometimes people push [the table] a little quick…jesus, this could go so horribly wrong."
(16:32, Georgina Castle)
On company drama and resilience in Cinderella:
"To find out we were closing at the interval was a little bit rough…But we move on. Everything happens for a reason."
(11:43, Georgina Castle)
On working with Tina Fey:
"She was so present the whole way through…She’d be writing. She has like 50 punchlines for every moment and they just come to her and I’m like, wow, such an incredible brain."
(18:41, Georgina Castle)
On meeting her fiancé in Elf:
"I mean, funny because I was literally singing a song in it called Never Fall in Love with an Elf and I was like, too late. Yeah. Shit. It happened."
(14:19, Georgina Castle)
The episode is warm, witty, and brimming with behind-the-scenes candor. Georgina’s stories are filled with heart, humility, and humor—perfect for fans of musical theatre, aspiring performers, and anyone curious about the realities (and joys) of West End life. Both host and guest keep the mood light even when touching on tougher subjects, exemplifying a showbiz resilience that’s as moving as it is entertaining.