Alison Moyet ‘most comfortable on stage’

Jan 11 2008 by Karen Price, Western Mail

As Alison Moyet prepares for her latest stage tour, she admits she would like to return to acting. And, she tells Karen Price, she doesn’t mean in another musical

SINCE being catapulted into the public arena as one half of ’80s favourites Yazoo, Alison Moyet’s expressive voice has taken the music world by storm.

Not one who can be easily pigeon-holed, the revered singer-songwriter has regularly challenged the music limits. She seamlessly moves from jazz to lounge music and then on to romantic opera.

Put simply, her voice is her tool and it’s what she is renowned for.

But the mother-of-three is considering exploring projects which don’t feature music at all. Moyet has already dipped her toe into acting and it’s this side of her career which she is keen to expand.

She made her critically acclaimed stage debut in the West End production of the musical Chicago in 2001 – before the production became renowned for offering roles to those more famous for TV presenting, singing or appearing on reality TV than their acting skills.

Moyet played the part of the formidable Matron “Mama” Morton, and although it was initially planned to be a short run, she – and the audiences, it seems – enjoyed the experience so much that the run was extended to six months.

Two years ago, Moyet appeared in the play, Smaller, which undertook a regional tour before a West End stint at London's Lyric Theatre.

As well as co-starring with Dawn French, she also composed three new songs for the production, which feature on her latest album The Turn.

But while her acting stints so far have required her to sing, she says she would now like to do a “straight” performance.

“When I did Chicago I thought I was a real oddity,” she says in her deep, distinctive voice.

“I didn’t think there would be any others who hadn’t done it (act) before.

“After me and Denise Van Outen they brought in lots of singers as they sold tickets.”

So why did she do it?

“It’s not about enjoying it – it’s a challenge. The thrill for me is in mastering my career.

“In Small we were dealing with a dying mother – there’s no enjoyment in that.

“I had no training. I think in some ways it’s a natural switch as a performer. I think I’m a natural performer – performance is something that interests me.”

But she says that it wasn’t always her ambition to be in a musical.

“Musicals were never a must-do for me. The next time I do theatre I would like it to be a speaking role only.”

But, for now, Moyet, who lives in Hertfordshire, is concentrating on her music.

Last October, she released her new album, The Turn, which entered the UK chart at number 21.

“It’s an album focused around song craft and intelligent lyrics. I wanted the album to relate to my 46 years – to be about things I picked up along the way,” she says.

“I started writing it a couple of years ago. I’ve written it as I’ve felt it but there have been other jobs on the go.

But she admits that writing is not always an easy process for her. “I don’t equate enjoyment with songwriting. The enjoyment happens in the completion of something you feel really good about. That’s where the thrill is. I don’t like to work under pressure. I don’t like having to specifically write. I like to write when I’m in the mood for it.”

Later this month, Moyet will set off on a tour, when she will perform songs from the album. After opening in Belfast, she will visit a number of major cities, including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and Cardiff.

“I enjoy touring now more than I have ever done. I truly feel comfortable on stage. I know who I am there,” says the 46-year-old.

“When I was younger I felt it was quite a pressure. I was always worried about losing my voice. I didn’t know how to control it.”

As well as the new songs, fans of Moyet can expect to hear a back catalogue of some of her greatest hits, which include Only You and Don’t Go from her days with Vince Clarke in Yazoo to her solo greats like All Cried Out and Is This Love?

But Moyet admits that no two gigs are the same as she often changes her set lists.

“I have to feel it (the song). If I don’t feel a song I don’t do it. Sometimes I stop a song mid show. I’m very honest when I work live.”

While Moyet has been in the music business since she was a teenager, she says she doesn’t really have any advice for some of today’s troubled young stars like Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse. But she believes the media is partly to blame for publicising their traumas.

“With Amy Winehouse, in particular, there’s a girl who’s a great talent,” says Moyet.

“But there’s that self-destruct element. But that stuff has always happened.

“When we were young we were around drugs but it wasn’t celebrated in the media in quite the same way.

“Someone like her (Winehouse) stands to have a long career – it will be great if they (industry bosses) take her away and get her well.”

Alison Moyet is at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, on January 25. The box office number is 029 2087 8444