Aimee Lou Wood has said portraying Sally Bowles in Cabaret “almost killed” her as she got so caught up in the performance.
The actress who won a Bafta for her role as Aimee Gibbs in Netflix hit Sex Education, took to the stage last year as the flamboyant flapper in the West End production at the Playhouse Theatre.
Set in Weimar Berlin, the musical explores the hedonistic lifestyle at the Kit Kat Club and US writer Clifford Bradshaw’s relationship with cabaret performer Sally.
Wood told the Radio Times: “Years ago, an actor told me, ‘It’s really important to keep going back to theatre, because otherwise you’ll develop a fear for it, you’ll get stage fright,’ but after Cabaret, I am scared.
“I loved it, it was my dream role and it changed me as a person, but it almost killed me. Going on Sally’s journey every night was hard.”
She said: “Afterwards, people would say I was great, and I was thinking, ‘I wasn’t pretending, I was actually just screaming and crying and having a breakdown. I think I’m going to have to wait at least five years to do another play.”
Wood has already lined up her next TV project, joining the cast of The White Lotus for its third series. She also stars in new BBC Three comedy Daddy Issues.
Cabaret was revived in December 2021 and in April the following year won seven Olivier Awards. The new production has also seen Cara Delevingne, Amy Lennox and Jessie Buckley take the lead role.
Heartstopper actress Rhea Norwood has taken over the role of Sally until September 21, while Bad Education star Layton Williams is portraying the Emcee, taking over from Olivier Award-winner Luke Treadaway.
