Theatre
Interview
I’m Every Woman: Alexandra Burke on the Chaka Khan musical and embodying an icon
As I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical prepares to open at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, we catch up with star Alexandra Burke
Chaka Khan is coming back to London, embodied by Alexandra Burke. I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical returns to the capital for a limited run this summer, playing at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. A premier at the Hackney Empire earlier this year and a handful of UK tour stops confirmed the big new jukebox musical as a hit, but this summer run will reintroduce Chaka Khan to London crowds in fittingly glamorous style. Ahead of the show’s opening, we caught up with Alexandra Burke to ask her a few questions about playing the icon herself.
What’s your favourite Chaka Khan song to perform?
This is really hard because I’ve got a few, but if I have to pick one… I’m going to give you two because I can’t give one. I’d say ‘I’m Every Woman’ and ‘Disrespectful’ are my two faves. And if you don’t know ‘Disrespectful’, well, I think you need to go online and go and have a listen. It’s featuring Mary J. Blige, and it’s one of the most amazing songs ever.
Which moment of the show are you most excited for audience members to see?
I know this is really crazy to say this, but I’m actually really excited for people to see how Act One ends. It’s so hard for us as actors and actresses on the stage, but as an audience member, I can imagine it’s probably quite powerful. I’m just excited for people to see that because that’s a part of her life that not many people know about, and we display that information on stage, and it’s been directed in such a great way… It’s impactful.
Was there anything you learned about Chaka throughout this process that surprised you?
I learnt a lot about Chaka during this process. I mean, there was so much I actually didn’t know about her. I think the one thing for me… When she came in to see us and gave us some feedback, she talked about her anger and how angry she was during the Black Panthers movement when she was younger, when she was a teenager. To hear her passion and to hear what she had gone through personally… I learnt so much about her just as a human.
And of course, her music is just iconic, and there’s 50 years plus of it all. But I think what she’s been through in her personal life is really going to inspire people and shock people because there’s a lot that’s not in the public eye. But you know, this this story right now, this show, it gives it all away, and it’s a privilege to be able to be a part of this, to share this story.
What drew you to this production?
First of all, when I first got offered the role, I actually thought Chaka had lost her mind because I was like, “Babe, you don’t want me.” I remember being in Greece, and my manager called me, and he was like, “Chaka has asked for you to come in.” I was like, “Oh gosh, no, I don’t think it’s for me, love.” And anyway, that pina colada obviously took me places because I then said yes, and here we are, because a 45-minute audition turned into three hours. I just couldn’t believe she asked for me. Little old me from Islington. I still am pinching myself. It’s my first ever role that I’m originating, and I just feel really lucky because I’m surrounded by such talent on that stage. And her story is amazing. She’s such a formidable woman. So yeah, I still have to pinch myself that I’m playing this role and that I’m here in this theatre and doing it.
Why do you think it was time for Chaka Khan musical now?
If I’m completely honest, I think I think there’s always been a space for a Chaka Khan musical to be to be there. I think it just had to be done right. She needed to be able to trust, I guess, that whoever was writing it could really take it to the next level and really just write it properly. Nia, knowing her the way that she knows her, has given such amazing detail and given us such amazing insight into Chaka’s life. It just had to be done right, and now is the time. She’s added more tunes to her repertoire, darling! So we’ve got more to play with! I think the timing’s always right. I think the universe knows what it’s doing. Everything happens for a reason. Everything within its time, and this is the time for Chaka’s story to be told.
Which other musical icon do you think deserves their own West End musical?
Okay, ready for it? I think this certain musical icon deserves their own musical: the wonderful Prince. We need a musical for Prince because he, of course, was Chaka’s best friend, and they were very, very close. His music was so iconic, and just him as an artist, just how he was… There’s so much I’ve learned about Prince because of doing this show, and Miles, who plays him in this show, is amazing, and I would love to see him play Prince in the West End.
