Grease The Musical star: It was surreal to break Dame Olivia’s death to audience
The star of the current West End production of Grease says it was “surreal” to hear the news of Dame Olivia Newton-John’s death during the interval of the show and later reveal it to audience members.
Actress Olivia Moore, who plays Sandy in the musical, said that the performance had been a “mixed bag of emotions” but that she was “proud to continue to wave that Sandy flag”.
Singer Peter Andre, who is also staring in the West End production said "it is very very rare that you meet somebody in this industry who is exactly like you hope they would be."
He added: "It is going to be a very different show to what it was, all those songs are so iconic. Even though you knew she was battling, she was so strong and when you heard the news it was just such a shock."
Dame Olivia died peacefully on Monday at her home in California at the age of 73, surrounded by friends and loved ones, her husband confirmed on social media.
Monday night’s performance of Grease at the Dominion Theatre, in London, was dedicated to her memory.
Dame Olivia became became a prominent breast cancer campaigner, after being given the first of three cancer diagnoses in 1992.
She remained cancer-free until a recurrence in 2013, but revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer for the third time in three decades in September 2018.
The singer said she was treating the illness “naturally” and was using cannabis oil made from marijuana her husband grows in California to alleviate the pain.
Ms Moore, 26, praised the “iconic” actress as “perfection” and said she felt a “responsibility” to carry on her legacy.
“She absolutely was with us tonight in spirit and she’ll be with us for the rest of the run,” she said.
“Tonight was such a special moment. Lots of people came into my dressing room to tell me and news spread quite quickly.
“She has so many fans, so many people that love her and love what she did…the world that she’s created.
“A lot of the audience didn’t know so it was really unfortunate to have to break the bad news to them.
“It was very, very surreal.”
Ms Moore said after finding out the news herself in the interval she had returned to the stage to sing Sandy’s famous number Hopelessly Devoted To You.
She added: “I will never sing it the same now.
“It’s an incredibly emotional song anyway, with the character and what’s happening… it’s incredibly moving and very empowering.
“So it was an amazing moment, but I felt like I was singing it for like the last time and… going on stage I felt so much pressure because I felt pressure to do it perfectly.
“I was like ‘this one’s for her so I can’t be rubbish’.”
The actress said that as well as her “incredible talent” Dame Olivia had seemed “so humble and respectful”.
“Something that stands out is what everyone says about her as a human being,” she said.
“I think that’s what I’ve kind of taken from watching her and idolising her - just how much of a wonderful human she seemed to be.
“I wish I had known her.”
She added: “The way she performed Sandy, the way she was Sandy, is perfection and I definitely hold responsibility now and in making sure that I continue to wave that Sandy flag.”
A statement put out by the cast and crew of Grease The Musical following the show read: “Olivia Newton-John is an icon who has inspired countless young performers across the world, not least our company of Grease in the West End.
“It is a huge honour to perform songs that she made world famous for thousands of fans, who continue to celebrate the legacy of this musical and her incredible talent."
Tune into the latest entertainment updates with ITV News podcast Unscripted
It added: “Our thoughts are with Olivia’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.
“We’d like to dedicate this evening’s performance and the rest of our run to Olivia’s memory and everything she represented.”