Tireless Biggleswade actor back to doing what she loves on stage after gameshow appearance

Emma Newton-Williams, a leading West End actor, is performing in the concert at Cadogan Hall from February 12 to 14. Gatsby A Musical is a sell-out live success and has an Offie (Off West End Awards) nomination for Best New Musical.

Emma, a four-time Olivier Award nominee, said: “I’m thrilled to be on board for this production, particularly as the live-stream means my family in Yorkshire can all watch easily too.

“The story of Gatsby is a one of love and tragedy and I play the doomed Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle is unhappily married to George, a garage mechanic of low means, and having an affair with the much more financially secure, Tom Buchanan, who just happens to be married to Daisy - Gatsby’s former love. There’s many a disastrous relationship in this show. Myrtle isn’t a bad person at heart, she’s aspirational and takes advantage of any situation she can, but she’s also very easy to manipulate and treat badly.”

Emma admits it will be strange not performing in front of an audience in person but is just pleased to be doing what she loves during difficult times.

She said: “The creative arts have really suffered during the pandemic despite theatres and production companies trying several times to get the arts back open. My sideline job was unfortunately also in the creative sector so that has also gone for the moment, and my husband is a musician too. But we are picking up work wherever we can, in whatever way we can, and developing new skills.

“I have no idea what’s next. I have got a few bits of teaching in my diary, I offer acting workshops of various kinds, and then there are the pencilled in gigs from last year that got rescheduled - but I’m aware they may get cancelled again. In the meantime, I shall be looking after my family and trying to find an agent for my first novel which I’m on my final edit of.”

Tickets for Gatsby A Musical can be purchased online at www.webgig.tv for £20 (only one necessary per household). Early bird tickets are available for £15 if booked before February 5.