Georgina Hopson || Anastasia The Musical

The Fame Reporter sat down with dynamic Australian performer Georgina Hopson, who is currently sweeping audiences away as Anya in Anastasia The Musical. Playing at the grand Regent Theatre until 20 February, the lavish, nostalgia-laden production inspired by the animated film will then journey across the country, with seasons lined up in Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.

From imperial ballrooms to heartfelt self-discovery, Hopson’s turn in this beloved story of hope, identity and destiny is capturing hearts wherever the train may lead.

We caught up with Georgina Hopson about stepping into Anya’s shoes in Anastasia, the tearful call that brought her the role, and reveals why the iconic ‘Journey to the Past’ is a joy to sing.

What was your first reaction when you found out you’d be playing Anya in the Australian production of Anastasia?I cried, tears of joy. My agents called me and when I picked up, they were playing Journey to the Past and I just started bawling.

Anya is such a layered role—resilient, vulnerable, determined. What part of her journey resonates most deeply with you?
In Journey to the Past, there is this feeling of being scared to do something but finding the strength to do it anyway. Anya finds the strength within herself. We embrace that feeling every time we go onstage.

I think Journey to the Past teaches us all that we have that courage within us.

How did you approach building Anya’s emotional arc, especially her transformation from a street-smart survivor to a young woman discovering her identity?
I think Terrence McNally’s script really helps to inform the choices for her arc, but I also try to use physicalisation to help mirror what’s on the page. When she is still in her street rat phase I use much more defensive body language, like shoulders hunched and fists clenched, because she is simply surviving at that stage.

Once she starts to feel more safe and more confident in who she is, I stand a little taller, and my physicalisation is much more relaxed and freer to mirror that.

This show blends sweeping romance with rich historical elements—what excites you most about bringing this story to Australian audiences?
I think at its heart, this story is about hope and that is something Australian audiences need right now.

I hope audiences get swept up in the fairytale and leave with a conversation starter – was she real or not…

The score of Anastasia is truly iconic. Do you have a favourite moment to sing, and why does it stand out?
I have to say ‘Journey to the past’. It is just like a perfectly written song. It’s just so beautiful. It’s such a dream to sing. The build of the song sits in such an amazing place in the voice.

It’s brilliant writing and it is a joy and an honour to sing it eight times a week.

What have rehearsals revealed about the show that audiences may be surprised by?
I think this version of Anastasia is very elegant and a grown up take on the beloved childhood story. If you have seen the film, there are a few things that may take you by surprise including the change to the villain of the story.

There is also an incredible train sequence that I think looks really cool and I think audiences will love watching it.

Your career spans everything from Phantom of the Opera to Titanique to Ragtime. How does playing Anya compare to your previous leading roles?
It’s hard to compare them all, each role has been so different, and I have learned so much about myself as a performer and the craft in general from each role. Each role presented its own unique challenges and joys.

Playing Christine Daaé on Sydney Harbour was a huge undertaking, especially being outdoors, I think it goes without saying, that’s challenging. Playing Rose in Titanique, a high camp comedy, was a complete shift and the challenge is finding the comedy every night with your fellow performers. Comedy is so hard and It’s a skill in of itself. Fast forward to playing Anya – I think I think I’m learning new things about myself as a performer and gathering new skills as well.

In every role I have always brought a little bit of myself, and a little bit of each role always stays with me. It creates this patchwork like quilt that comes with me as I move through my career and step into a new character.

You’ve portrayed so many iconic women on stage. What draws you to these strong, complex characters?
I am drawn to these strong and complex characters because I think that they reflect the female experience. I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of interesting, very complicated roles.

I covered Mary Jane in Jagged Little Pill, and she was a very, very complex and imperfect person, and I loved that about her. Gussie in Merrily We Roll Along is also another one of my favourite characters I’ve played because she’s sort of one of the villains of the story, but you absolutely can understand her motivations and where she’s coming from, and that’s so fun to delve into as an actor.

I think what draws me to these characters is that they’re real, they’re human and that is compelling to watch and fun to play.

At its core, Anastasia explores identity, memory, and belonging. What do you hope audiences feel or reflect on when they leave the theatre?
I hope audiences relate to Anya’s quest to find belonging, and leave inspired by her strength and resilience.

Quickfire Round

If you could step into any other character’s shoes in Anastasia for one performance, who would it be
Elliot Baker’s track – Tsar Nicholas II/Count Ipolitov – I would love to sing ‘Stay I Pray You.’

Favourite place to escape to when you’re on tour
The beach, if there is one.

Favourite song from the show
I have to say Journey to the Past. There is no other option!

Dream role you haven’t played yet
Bobby from Company, in the version that Bobbie is Female presenting.

Favourite moment from the film
When Anya does the final stomp on Rasputin’s glass reliquary and says ‘This is for you, Das vedanya!’ – that bit is so badass.

Backstage ritual you can’t live without
Checking in and connecting with the other actors.

Thank-you for joining us at The Fame Reporter Georgina. We wish you all the best for the tour of anastasia The Musical!

TICKETS
Melbourne until 20 February at Regent Theatre

Perth from March at Crown Theatre

Sydney from April at Sydney Lyric Theatre

Adelaide from August at Festival Theatre

Brisbane from September at Lyric Theatre, QPAC