Singer Pixie Lott has insisted she will not be copying Audrey Hepburn when she stars in Breakfast At Tiffany’s in London’s West End.
Pixie takes on the role of the enigmatic Holly Golightly in the new stage production, a part made famous on film by Audrey.
However, Pixie said the play – which is adapted for the stage by Richard Greenberg from Truman Capote’s novella – is very different from the 1961 film.
Speaking after a barefoot performance of two of the songs from the play, accompanying herself on the guitar, Pixie said she didn’t feel the shadow of Audrey’s legacy, adding: “I don’t feel any pressure, I think because since I knew I was doing it I’ve been reading the book loads and the script.
“I haven’t watched the movie since before I knew I was doing it. I just read her character from the script and the book, and done it that way. I can’t even think how Audrey does the role now and I sort of did that on purpose because I don’t want to copy anyone, I just want to live her for how I feel and how she relates to me.”
The production was first seen on Broadway in 2013 with Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke as Golightly, and director Nikolai Foster described it as an “intense, wordy study of cafe society” that is faithful to Capote’s source material.
Pixie added: “It’s a dream to play Holly, I can only bring my own personality. I started with the book, it’s really heavily based on the book rather than the movie.
“I’m bringing my own vibe rather than copying anyone who has done it before.”
Pixie also dismissed critics of celebrity casting, saying: “I never really focus on that side of things, if I do then that’s a negative thing, so I just don’t.”
One thing that has been a struggle is Golightly’s American accent, which Pixie admitted was difficult to pin down. She said: “It’s hard, I feel like an American accent in movies is California girl but she’s New York which I feel is posh, but then she’s from Texas. When she says darling it feels English.”
The singer, who has enjoyed a string of number one hits, said that her foray into theatre does not mean she is leaving her career in music behind.
She said: “I love music and I love writing songs and doing concerts so I would never ever stop doing that. But in doing this, I’ve learnt loads and have loved the experience and I definitely would hope it would lead to more in the future.”
The former Strictly Come Dancing star learned to play the guitar for the role, so she can play songs including Moon River on stage. Pixie said she always wanted to learn the instrument and the role provided the perfect excuse.
She stars opposite Downton Abbey actor Matt Barber as Fred, but also shares the spotlight with Bob the cat, who plays Golightly’s adopted pet – and she says working with animals is not always easy.
She said: “He is pretty cool but he did misbehave when we started out. He ran out into the audience quite a lot, but now he’s well behaved and hasn’t run off recently.”
The show began in Leicester on March 3 and is touring the UK and Ireland before it arrives at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on June 30 for a 12 week run.
Tickets are available at www.breakfastattiffanys.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article