Bernadette Robinson is currently wowing the West End in the brilliant transfer of SONGS FOR NOBODIES, in which she breathes new life into five legendary performers - Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas - and five ordinary women whose lives were changed by their brushes with them. We asked her four questions about each leading lady and learnt some lesser-known facts about the stars...
Judy Garland
What do you admire most about her?
That she’s a triple threat: a brilliant singer, actress and dancer.
What’s your favourite song of hers?
I like "The Man That Got Away".
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about her?
More shocking than surprising, but definitely learning about the terrible treatment she underwent as a young star in the world of MGM productions.
What would you ask if you’d ever had a chance to meet her?
I think I’d ask about her happiest memories. Because we all mainly seem to know about the sadnesses in her life, which were many.
Patsy Cline
What do you admire most about her?
Her confidence and tenacity, even as a young woman.
What’s your favourite song of hers?
"Leaving on Your Mind".
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about her?
That she developed her distinctive low voice after losing it for a few weeks.
What would you ask if you’d ever had a chance to meet her?
I’d ask her for her recipe for roast chicken, which she loved to make.
Edith Piaf
What do you admire most about her?
I admire her passion and her songwriting ability.
What’s your favourite song of hers?
"La Belle Histoire D’Amour".
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about her?
That as a child she went temporarily blind and believed the Virgin Mary restored her sight.
What would you ask if you’d ever had a chance to meet her?
What was it about Marcel Cerdan that made him the love of her life?
Billie Holiday
What do you admire most about her?
What she put up with in life, and what she took on.
What’s your favourite song of hers?
"Strange Fruit".
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about her?
When she was in prison, she never sang a note.
What would you ask if you’d ever had a chance to meet her?
Was it all worth it?
Maria Callas
What do you admire most about her?
Her incredible musicianship and work ethic.
What’s your favourite song of hers?
"Vissi D’arte".
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about her?
That she was fluent in several languages.
What would you ask if you’d ever had a chance to meet her?
Did she really forgive Aristotle Onassis for marrying Jackie Kennedy?
