We sat down for an exclusive interview with Phoebe Panaretos who plays Nancy Sinatra in the new blockbuster musical, Sinatra, about the life of Frank Sinatra.
This brand new musical runs from Aldwych Theatre 3rd June 26 to 10th April 27 – Tickets here.
What has been your approach to portraying Nancy Sinatra as both a private partner and a public figure within the whirlwind of Sinatra The Musical?
I’ve wanted to be as authentic as possible, having Tina be the one to choose me to portray her mother has been really key to this. It’s very important to me especially because she wasn’t a star like Frank and Ava that audiences come away understanding who she was and the impact she had on Frank and his success.
How do you navigate the emotional complexity of Nancy’s relationship with Frank Sinatra, especially as his connection with Ava Gardner unfolds?
This is still something that I’m discovering, it’s ever evolving and honestly a theme of the show that I feel remains alive and active in each time we play it out. For Nancy his betrayal is utterly heartbreaking, living that each night will be a challenge however it’s a beautiful scope to explore as an actor.
Having originated the role previously, what new layers or insights are you bringing to Nancy this time around in the West End production?
It’s completely different as we have new players involved. Most importantly our Frank, Joel Harper-Jackson. The show has been rewritten and reworked so there are new moments to discover and play with. At her core however Nancy is a balancing act of heart and strength.
What challenges and rewards come with portraying a real person whose legacy is so intertwined with such iconic cultural figures?
The challenge is ensuring Nancy is clearly defined as audiences generally don’t know who she is, unlike Frank and Ava. The added pressure of playing someone’s mother in front of their eyes is also a challenge. I want to honour Tina’s memory of her mother and in the telling of her story bring her to life.
How does your performance balance the musical demands of the show with the more intimate, dramatic moments of Nancy’s story?
The dramatic moment for Nancy builds as Frank finds Ava, musically this is also mirrored. Early in the show we see Frank and Nancy in love and singing some beautiful duets and later we find Nancy often alone baby in her arms and singing some of Franks most heartbreaking songs.
In a story so centred on fame and legacy, what do you hope audiences will take away about Nancy’s own voice and identity?
My hope for Nancy is that audiences come to know who she was and the impact she had on the man we all know and love. Personally, I believe she deserves her moment, to be seen and acknowledged by wider audiences for the devotion, love and strength she instilled in Frank, his children and undoubtedly his legacy.