Carly Mercedes Dyer is a British actress, singer, and dancer. She will play Liz in the summer production of High Society at the Barbican. More information and tickets: here.
Can you tell me about how you came to be part of this production?
I was asked to do the reading. I think it was autumn last year. They were trying to see what they had and what scripts they were going to use. So it was basically a really quick-fire day where we learnt the music for an hour in the morning and then read through the script and plunked the songs in. And then in the evening, the producers came in and we read what we had, all from this one morning so they could see like what things they wanted to change. Like my character was originally singing a different song which she normally sings but now I'm singing something else which is really gorgeous and wonderful and then I basically had been asked if I wanted to do it whilst I was doing something else. So it was like a long process to kind of work it all out but I'm just a huge fan of the Trafalgar company and I just love working for them because they're so generous, so lovely and they trust me with things.
Tell us about your character in the show and how you have prepared
I think sometimes when I read a script and I remember reading this and I was like ‘is it funny?', which is probably a bit controversial to say. I was like yeah it's fine but I think I underestimate sometimes that there's something that I might bring to the character and then I realized halfway through the rehearsals, oh I know why they wanted me to do this now because something will happen with other characters. So, it's been a really fun rehearsal process learning about Liz.
Who are you most excited to work with in this show and have you made any new best friends?
I was really excited to work with my friend Nell again because we worked together ten years ago when we did West Side Story in Salzburg, and she was telling me that was her first job. I was like you didn't seem like it was your first job so I'm really excited to be back with her and every time we're rehearsing, she probably finds me really annoying like a child that's like, Where's my friend at nursery. I think I've definitely got two new besties. One is Tosca, who is part of the ensemble who I absolutely adore we just have a kindred spirit. Then also my dear beating heart Freddie Fox. I adore him. He is just an absolute sweetheart and just so willing and just wanting to jump in.
Why should people come to see High Society?
Oh my goodness, it's just a naughty romp with people running around with the wrong people and it's just a gorgeous love story as well.
Interview: Karen Jemison