In our profile series, Tell Us In 10, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions.
This week, we’re talking to Debbie Kurup who plays Queen Tuya as the classic DreamWorks movie, The Prince Of Egypt, springs to life #BackOnStage at the Dominion Theatre from 1 July.
You might recognise Debbie from a number of shows including Chicago (Aldephi Theatre), Rent (Prince of Wales Theatre), Girl From The Country North (Old Vic Theatre) and The Bodyguard (Adelphi Theatre), for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.
Find out more about Debbie below!
1. My route into theatre was…
Local dance school training. Got an agent when I was 17 and started auditioning for musicals.
Debbie Kurup stars in The Bodyguard
2. My West End idol is…
Billie Piper
3. My colleagues would describe me as…
Neat freak?!
Tanisha Spring, Liam Tamne, Adam Pearce, Joe Dixon and Debbie Kurupin in The Prince Of Egypt. Photo by Matt Crockett.
4. My favourite show present or past (that isn’t one I star in/work on) is…
Oh God, that’s hard. I’m constantly wowed by new, inventive productions that push boundaries and really challenge the audience.
5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…
My Olivier nomination…? (*said with slow upward inflection)
Gavin Lee, Kristen Beth Williams, Mark Letheren, Debbie Kurup, Rebecca Herszenhorn and Ed Currie at the Nominations Announcement for the Olivier Awards 2013 with MasterCard
6. The hardest part about my job/role is…
Having to spend chunks of time away from my daughter over the years. Although this lockdown year has been tough, I’m hugely grateful for the quality time I’ve had with my family.
Debbie Kurup (Mrs Neilsen) in rehearsal for Girl From The North Country at The Old Vic (Photo: Manuel Harlan)
7. If I wasn’t an actor I would be…
A counsellor? I’m fascinated by people and I think I’m always secretly trying to psychoanalyse them.
8. Something people don’t know about me is…
This past year away from work has given me the opportunity to go back to school. I’m currently studying for an English Literature degree with the Open University.
Debbie Kurup in The Bodyguard (Photo credit: Paul Coltas.)
9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
Actions speak louder than words.
10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
Don’t accept misogyny as the status quo.
Tune into Theatre Chat Live tomorrow night at 6pm on Official London Theatre’s Instagram channel, where Jess will be joined by Debbie and will be talking all things The Prince Of Egypt, returning #BackOnStage and more stagey fun!