Katherine Glover is One of the Von Trapp Clan

Katherine Glover is One of the Von Trapp Clan

With an impressive portfolio of work behind her, we're excited to see exactly what Katherine Glover brings to the role of the eldest of the Von Trapp clan, Liesl. So much so, we grabbed the chance to ask her a few questions about her work, her aspirations and the advice she'd give to future generations. 

How long have you been acting for?
I’ve been acting since I was as young just like the littlest one in this show (our youngest is seven!). However, this was for school plays and some great youth groups around Bath in England – not professional opportunities like these lucky children are getting! I started acting professionally 3 years ago when I graduated from drama school.
 
What influenced you to start acting?
It was always musicals that captured my attention. I loved movie musicals like The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins - I basically wanted to be Julie Andrews. When I was 8 I landed the role of Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in my primary school play –  it wasn’t quite Julie Andrews but I made a very dashing man!

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Do you enjoy performing in musicals more than regular theatre? Why?
I do enjoy musicals the most. I think it is because there is a different sort of connection with the story and the audience when music is involved. I think music links with emotion – it can make you feel very happy and joyous, or very sad much more quickly. This is exactly what they use singing for in The Sound of Music – Maria teaches the children to sing which stirs old memories in the Captain and makes him act like their father again. Also as far as the audience goes, it gives them something to hold onto from the production. I expect our audiences will go away singing ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and ‘Climb Every Mountain’ for the next few days! You don’t get that connection with a play.
 
What is the best part about being a performer?
Getting to do my favourite past time and call it a job! If it weren’t my career I would be doing it anyway for fun. Also, getting to meet such interesting people and travel to great places like Dubai (I normally live in London). Every time you do a show there is a whole new set of people you’ve never met before. You start off as strangers and by the end you are tight-knit family. I expept this will especially be the case with The Sound of Music as it is such a family show. I am getting to know all my ‘siblings’ at the moment and they are lovely and very talented!
 
What are your personal aspirations for the future?
Well, being in The Sound of Music was always one of my dreams! So I’m very excited about this job. Otherwise my aspirations are to be in a show in the West End (London) and continue to travel around being in great musicals.   
 
What would you say for young or aspiring performers who would like to take part in this entertainment industry?
I came at the industry a little differently from other people as I went to University first and then went to Drama school. So I suppose I would say – don’t rush! If you have other things you want to do, academic work, growing up a little, having other life experiences don’t be afraid of doing it. It doesn’t mean you are missing out. You are always going to be a performer and everything else you do just feeds into what characters you can play and makes you a rounded, understanding person to work with.

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In this same vein you must always be kind others, both on and off stage. Theatre comes with a stigma that people can be cut-throat and nasty. You will have much more success and be happier yourself being the sort of actor who supports others, respects them and appreciates everyone else’s role.
 
What advice would you give parents to encourage their children to take up acting?
It really is a fantastic outlet for children’s creativity, whilst also instilling a sense of discipline. Whether or not it is something they turn into a career, I would encourage any child to have a go and see if they enjoy it. I’ve worked with children before who would initially be too shy to say anything in front of a group and after a few weeks of drama training were as confident and playful as our children in The Sound of Music. If your child is shy maybe they just need a Maria to help them!