Anna-Jane Casey has stepped in at the last minute to cover the role of female MC at Magic Mike Live, and joins the cast for a limited time.
Conceived and co-directed by Channing Tatum, Magic Mike Live, is a large-scale, live production show based on the hit films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, which opened at The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square in November 2018.
You’ve stepped in to cover the MC role at Magic Mike Live, how did that come about?
So my good friend Tim Reed, who is the general manager of the show, messaged me on the 15th December and asked what I was up to for the next 8 weeks or so. I then did a self-tape of the script at home in my daughters’ bedroom around 7pm then the tape was sent to the US for Channing Tatum and the Magic Mike team to see and by 1pm the next day, I was onboard! I had 9 hours rehearsal and did my first show on December 27th…..absolute mad whirlwind!
And now you’ll be staying in the role for a limited time, how would you describe the show?
The show is the most brilliant celebration of dance, gymnastics and above all, an empowering evening for women which shows off the skills and talents of 13 of the cutest men in London. I had never seen the show before I started and I was blown away, especially when I got a personal lap dance from Pete! HAHAHAHA I think he was trying to embarrass me but I’m 51 with 2 kids. It takes a lot to make me blush so it was a joyous moment for me.
What does the role of MC look like, and what are you enjoying most about the role?
The Female MC, without giving too much away, is the audiences’ guide through the 90 minutes that the men are performing and she is “one of them” which is genuinely true as I have the best time watching gorgeous fellas at the top of their game. The best thing is having audience members say to me, “I really didn’t think it would be this amazing an evening. We thought it was just a stripper show!” It is sooooo much more so you’ll have to come to see what secrets we’re keeping.
This isn’t the first time you’ve stepped in to cover a role, what’s the biggest challenge of coming in last minute?
Yep I’ve been called upon to jump in at the last minute a few times now…Once on STEPPING OUT with Amanda Holden, then on MOTHER GOOSE with Sir Ian McKellen so maybe word is getting round to producers and directors that AJ is your woman when it comes to learning a show in limited time and getting on there and doing it! The biggest challenge for me is managing my blood pressure for the first time in front of an audience as it genuinely feels like I could spontaneously combust!
What’s it like working with such a talented cast?
The cast are RIDICULOUSLY talented and in fact there’s a line about the fact that all a woman needs from a man is his ability to sing, dance, do a backflip, play a musical instrument and these men tick all those boxes and more! And the aerial skills on show are as good as anything Cirque Du Soleil will give you and here at The Hippodrome, you get to see it up close and personal.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Magic Mike Live?
Having been in the industry for 40 years now (yes i am THAT old), hand on heart I can honestly say that if you come and see Magic Mike, you will have 90 minutes of the most thrilling, exciting, sexy and fun entertainment in London. The skills on show are jaw dropping and you will be treated with the utmost respect by the amazing front of house team whilst looking at a group of stunning, talented humans. Nothing like it!
