As you wait with bated breath for my thoughts on the long awaited English premiere of Rebecca Das Musical at the Charing Cross Theatre, I was given the incredible opportunity to interview actors Mark Seibert (Elisabeth, Schikaneder) and Annemieke van Dam (Elisabeth, Mary Poppins), currently playing Maxim de Winter and Mrs Danvers respectively in Rebecca’s smash hit revival at Vienna’s Raimund Theatre until January 2024. From their approach to playing iconic roles to their feelings on why English audiences should be open to seeing Rebecca’s newest production, you can learn everything in my interview below now.
Rebecca Das Musical Interview
How did you react when you found out Rebecca would be returning to Vienna after over ten years?
MARK: I always think that it’s great when shows which were created and developed in Vienna are coming back a second or a third time. Viennese shows are different to what comes from Broadway or the West End, and I think it’s great to show our audience the whole variety of musical theatre shows. So, I was really happy about Rebecca coming back to Vienna.
ANNEMIEKE: My first reaction was, ‘Oh, too bad. There’s nothing in it for me, very stupid, not realising I did also age 16 years. It turned out there were two roles in it for me actually: Mrs. Danvers and Beatrice. And fortunately I got an audition for the two roles and ended up playing both of them!
Did you do any research for your roles i.e. Daphne du Maurier’s novel or the Alfred
Hitchcock film?
MARK: I watched both movies and I still remember the show in Raimund Theater in 2006. I discovered rest of [Maxim] during the rehearsal process.
ANNEMIEKE: Yes I did, It was very interesting to compare them.
You both appeared in Elisabeth as Elisabeth and Der Tod (Death). What’s it been like working together again playing such different roles in Rebecca?
MARK: Compared to Maxim De Winter in Rebecca, Der Tod in Elisabeth is a fictional character. Der Tod isn’t human and has the power to control the lives of the other character, so playing that part is very different. Even though he acts human he needs to have a certain magic. He’s lover and threat at the same time. Maxim is human and can show a lot more vulnerability.
ANNEMIEKE: It‘s always such a joy working with Mark! This time, from a different perspective. Both older haha and parents! He is a lovely and talented colleague and I hope we will work together again in the future.
With so many twists and turns in the original book, what do you think makes Rebecca work as a musical?
MARK: I think the twists are great so that the audience awaits a lot of unexpected chances. That makes it more exciting. Plus the music and the set is so amazing. And in Vienna we are very spoiled with our great orchestra. I think that’s what makes Rebecca the Musical an unforgettable evening.
ANNEMIEKE: It has got great melodies and amazing female songs. We have four leading ladies in this musical, which doesn’t happen a lot. So for me, the great challenging songs make this musical super interesting. We have a very grand set and a huge orchestra, which makes the story blow right off the stage. It’s very spectacular. The story is a bit grim and it makes you wonder how it would be like to live in times like these. And of course, you keep thinking ‘Who is this Rebecca?’ We hear about her from so many perspectives. But who is she really. What happened really?
Rebecca is finally getting its English language premiere this year. What would you say to people who may be curious to see the show?
MARK: I think the show and the story is very British. Sure it takes place mostly in Cornwall. So it’s only logical to bring that show “home” at some point!
ANNEMIEKE: I would like to let the audience know that this show is not only interesting for musical fans, but also for readers that are curious to see a thrilling musical.
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