“This is huge,” she said, of the comedy musical A Knight’s Tale at the Opera House. “It’s by far the biggest production I have been part of in terms of size and scope; it’s very exciting and to be there from lift off is so cool; it’s amazing.”
Based on the 2001 movie starring Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany, A Knight’s Tale is the story of a young squire William Thatcher who poses as a knight entering jousting tournaments becoming more and more successful.
Eva plays What, William’s childhood friend and fellow squire who shares in his adventures.
“Their main focus is getting fed; once they’ve done that they can concentrate on other things.
“What often gets the wrong end of the stick – let’s say their intelligence lies in other areas; they may have street smarts but they’re not the most intellectual.”
The original film has developed a cult following over the years but Eva is quick to point out that A Knight’s Tale: The Musical is not simply a copy of the film.
“Hopefully it’s faithful enough to the film so that people who love it will get that same flavour,” she said. “We’re trying to keep that anachronistic, medieval world from the film but we’re making our own version of it.
“There’s new things, new characters and we’ve added our own edge to it for sure.”
The original film featured tracks by AC/DC, Queen and David Bowie but classic pop songs feature even more prominently in the stage show.
“It really is a musical,” said Eva.”We’re keeping some of the songs under our hats for a bit of a surprise but it is banger after banger.”When we started rehearsing every single song is an earworm and you’d go home singing it.
“Also the songs do further the story, they add to the story and move things along, they are not just shoehorned in there for the sake of it.”
Eva Scott, What, and Andrew Coshan, William, in rehearsal for A Knight’s Tale: The Musical (Picture: Danny Kaan)For Eva seeing how the script and the music have come together so successfully has been one of the most interesting aspects of the whole process.
“Sometimes with the jukebox musical the story and music can feel quite disparate but what has bee pleasantly surprising is watching the numbers evolve into these incredible storytelling moments as well as being exciting
“Also I think we have all been quite shocked at how moving it is. Yes, it’s a vivid comedy musical but it really drops into moments of real emotional nuance.”
Playing What allows Eva to fully embrace her love for comedy.
“The writer Brona C Titley is an incredible comedy writer,” said Eva. “Her ear for a gag second to none. I’ve been lucky enough to have been involved in workshops for a little while on this project so I think she’s got an understanding for the comedy that I like to deliver; we’re on same wavelength.
“It is a very funny production and in many respects it’s a very British comedy. As we’ve been rehearsing you realise there’s bits of Monty Python in there, it’s anachronistic but it’s also got huge production values with impressive numbers and hopefully that will please a lot of people.”
With the curtain about to go up in Manchester for the first time you sense that the cast can’t wait to finally put the show before an audience.
“It feels like the calm before the storm at the moment.” said Eva. “I have performed in Manchester before but never at the Opera House. I can’t wait.”
Eva, who lives in Manchester, has appeared at Home in the comedy Work It Out and also at the Royal Exchange in Betty! A sort of Musical.
“Betty was wild wasn’t it?” she laughed. “I think this is slightly more tethered but maybe but it was certainly good practice for this show.
“To be part of something like this in your home town is just amazing. Personally it means I can invite family and friends and know that they are going to have fun.
“Honestly we’re all chomping at the bit to get going.
“We’ve had our costume fittings and they were amazing. I was expecting just a muslin shirt but it’s all a bit up from that.
“Gabby (costumer designer Gabriella Slade) did all the costumes for Six and the textures and layers for this production are sensational. They’re beyond my wildest dreams.”
At the heart of the show are the jousting tournaments, so how will that work on stage?
“Everyone asks about the jousting,” laughed Eva. “But I can’t say too much, we’re keeping it a secret. But let’s just say it will be something very special.”
It being a brand new production – there are rumours of a West End run after the Manchester premiere although nothing has been confirmed yet – Eva admits that audiences don’t quite know what to expect.
“It’s got a bit of everything,” she said. “If you have never seen the film it doesn’t matter. It’s funny, there’s so much spectacle, it’s moving at times and there are all these great songs too.
“I think some of the characters get to indulge their inner rock star at times but even I as a humble squire have my moments.
“It’s a slightly unknown entity for people as it doesn’t quite slot into the normal categories for a new musical, but it’s got a bit of everything.”
A Knight’s Tale: The Musical, Manchester Opera House, until Saturday, May 10. Details from www.atgtickets.com
