Olivia Colman in London Road: singing was scary but so fulfilling

Star talks about the challenges of film musical on prostitute killings
Tough role: Olivia Colman, centre, with Anita Dobson in London Road
Nicola Dove

Olivia Colman says her latest project, a film musical based on the Ipswich prostitute murders, is about community, not death.

London Road uses verbatim testimony from residents to show how they came together to re-build their world after five women were killed in the Suffolk town in 2006. It is based on the award-winning stage production at the National Theatre.

Colman said: “It’s actually about a group of people who heal themselves. I think people have a preconception that the musical is about death and murder but that’s not what it is about. It’s about a community who have got the world’s press looking at them and decide to make themselves better.”

The Broadchurch star had to prove to director Rufus Norris, now the National’s boss, that she could sing before taking on the role of Julie, a mother with strong family values.

She said: “I used to sing at school. I can hold a tune, but I’m not under any impression I’m a proper singer. It was really scary, but lovely.”

Learning the verbatim script — including all the “ums” and “ers” of conversation — was much harder than a normal one, she said: “But having been fearful of it and close to tears at times, I’d say it was one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling jobs I’ve ever had.”

It also means the words audiences hear are what people genuinely said and were not “twisted”. She added: “These are real people, with no filter, being terribly honest.”

The London Road community was involved in filming the final scenes but Colman asked not to meet her character until it was over in case she was different from how she imagined.

Colman said: “She was lovely and thrilled it was all happening.” She added: “It’s important it’s not forgotten, that these girls aren’t forgotten — although that’s not to say they’re the main focus of the film.

“It’s a fascinating story that most of us remember from the news.” Colman said it was a “weird” project compared with “shoot-em-up” movies or rom-coms, but added: “I think film-lovers will love this film. It is absolutely original.”

She is now filming a BBC adaptation of John Le Carre’s The Night Manager in Majorca before having her third child.

London Road premieres tomorrow via NT Live and is in selected cinemas from Friday. Details at londonroadfilm.co.uk.

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