Georgina Hopson Realizes Childhood Dream in Anastasia The Musical
While many young girls were captivated by Disney princesses like Cinderella and Ariel, Georgina Hopson, a musical theatre performer raised in Toowoomba, developed a deep fascination with the 1997 Academy Award-nominated animated film Anastasia. This early obsession has now come full circle as Hopson stars as Anya in the Australian production of Anastasia The Musical, which premiered on Broadway in March 2017 and is currently wrapping its Australian season at Melbourne's Regent Theatre.
A Blend of History and Fairytale
Hopson expresses her long-standing connection to the story, describing it as a unique mix of historical intrigue and fairytale magic. "It's a little bit historical and it's a little bit fairytale. It straddates that line between both," she explains. "Ultimately, I've just always felt a connection with Anya and to her journey... I think she's strong and she's feisty and she's passionate." These are qualities she brings to her portrayal of Anya, supported by a talented cast including Robert Tripolino as Dmitry and Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily.
Exploring the Romanov Myth
The musical draws inspiration from the mysterious tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov's rumored escape during the Russian Revolution. Hopson, a self-proclaimed history enthusiast, delved into documentaries and stories about the Romanovs during her preparation. "The story of Anastasia is really interesting because it's inspired by a myth that circulated after they couldn't find the remains of two of the Romanov children," she notes. This myth led to rumors of Anastasia's survival, which inspired earlier films and now the stage production.
Hopson's Journey to the Stage
Hopson's path to musical theatre began in a family immersed in music, with her mother playing cello in local orchestras and frequent trips to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Despite initial detours into speech pathology and business studies, she pursued her passion by auditioning for the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, graduating in 2014. Her career has since flourished, with roles in TV series like Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story and stage productions such as The Phantom of the Opera.
The Musical's Emotional Core
At its heart, Anastasia The Musical features a score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, including songs like Once Upon A December and Journey To The Past. Hopson highlights Journey To The Past as her favorite to sing, while also praising Stay, I Pray You for its poignant choral arrangement about displacement. "It's really beautiful. Just people saying goodbye to where they live because they can't stay there any longer, which is very poignant, and relevant in these times," she reflects.
The production is set to transport audiences from Imperial Russia to 1920s Paris, running at Crown Theatre Perth from March 3 to 28. Tickets are available through official channels, offering a chance to experience this modern classic live.
