Feature of the Month: Holles Singing Sensation on life in the West End Spotlight

Ever wondered what it must feel like to wake up each day and perform on a stage in the West End? Well, for one alumna, she no longer dreams of that life because she gets to live it. Meet Merry Ansah, Class of 2011. 

US born Merryl launched her career in 2017 after graduating from the Royal Academy of Music with a MA in Musical Theatre. Merryl has performed in Carole King Musical, Heathers: The Musical and Crazy for You.  Since late 2023, Merryl has starred as Nala in the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, London. From vocal warm ups, to remembering school trips with Miss Flannery and reflecting on how rejection can be the start of greater things to come, Merryl took the time to give us all a little insight into life as a West End superstar.  

What does a day in the life of being Nala look like? 

Before our call time at work, I usually like to prepare myself for the day by doing some form of exercise, my meal prep for the day, life admin etc. If there's a new hobby I've picked up, I'll see whether I can squeeze that in too! When I arrive at the theatre, we have physical and vocal warm up. We then have some time set apart in case there are any notes from the creative team to go over, and then it's time to get ready for the show! My character appears in act 2 so I spend act 1 getting into costume, wigs and make up, before doing a final quick warm up again before going onstage. After the show, depending on how tired my body is I'll do a stretch to cool down my muscles, and then just before bed I'll make sure to steam my vocal folds ready for the next day! 

What was the moment you knew you wanted to perform in the West End? 

We took a GCSE drama school trip with Miss Flannery to watch the musical Spring Awakening at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith. The cast was made up of actors in their mid-to-late teens and early twenties and it was the first time I saw people of a similar age to me on a professional stage. The themes of the play were quite gritty but drummed up a lot of important conversation, and I remember coming away feeling inspired and wondering whether I could one day make an audience member feel the same way that I did that night. Fast forward to my first year of university, and the musical theatre society was putting on a production of Spring Awakening as their main musical. Naturally I jumped at the opportunity to audition but, despite my best efforts, I didn't quite make the cut. Using my rejection as a fuel, I decided to channel my energy into auditioning for the National Youth Music Theatre that same year and was cast in their new musical for the year called 'The Other School'. It was there where I had the opportunity to work with professional creatives in the industry and with encouragement from our director, started considering it as a viable career path. 

What is your favourite LEH memory? What inspired you most about your time at school? Did you have any favourite teachers? 

Looking back now I'm amazed by the wide range of extra-curricular activities we were able to get involved in. There truly was something for everyone. I remember Miss Waters, Mrs Harding and Mrs Budd keeping me drawn to the sports department through lacrosse, netball, gymnastics, or athletics. I was very thankful to Mrs Ashe for giving me that gentle nudge to audition for the Holles Singers, and we even went on to win the BBC Youth Choir of the Year while I was there. This then inspired me to work with Alice Angliss with Miss Jansz at the helm to win the inter-house music competition that year! I also have fond memories of our GCSE English class with Mrs Ndongong and our sixth-form Economics class with Miss Matthews. 

Do you keep in touch with many of your LEH friends? 

Almost every single day! There's a core group of us who talk all the time and a couple of others who I don't get to see quite as often but whenever we see each other, it feels as though no time has passed at all. It's been beautiful to grow together and support each other through many of life's big milestones! 

If you could time travel to any era of theatre, where would you go? 

I would time travel into the future if I could! This is a really exciting time in the industry where more new plays and musicals are being written and produced by people from all walks of life, and particularly historically underrepresented backgrounds, so we're getting a real depth and breadth to the stories being told and how audiences are able to connect with them. So, I'm very excited by what's to come. 

We’re delighted that Merryl will be coming into LEH very soon to attend the Celebration of the Year as our special guest speaker. I’m sure the students and parents are in for a real treat with such an inspirational alumna. I’m secretly hoping I get to hear her beautiful voice in person!