“Of all the Disney characters Belle is the best one to play,” Ashley tells me during a break from rehearsals.
“She’s a tomboy, she’s feisty, funny and snappy. She’s not a wet princess and this isn’t a panto. Belle is surrounded by dominant men and her mother has died – but she still manages to shine.”
Of course, much of this may be lost on the younger audience who adore this show, but Ashley is determined to do her best for Belle, despite a rigorous tour and schedule.
“The little girls who come to see this show have the dolls, outfits and film at home, so I have to look the part,” Ashley says.
“But the parents want her to be real and Belle does make me laugh because she’s quite a feminist and goes against the grain.”
As you may have guessed, Beauty And The Beast is arriving at Oxford’s New Theatre from Tuesday, with its enormous all singing-and-dancing cast and its elaborate set.
And as the lead Ashley, 27, is hugely excited about coming back to Oxford: “This is such a wonderful part to play. And yes there is a lot of singing, acting and dancing involved – in the second half I don’t even leave the stage – but the old classics are so magical and still work today as well as they ever did.
“So if I have a dodgy day or I’m tired, I wait until I get up on stage because I know the music will uplift me.”
So how does Ashley stay motivated?
“You have to find a balance and a happy medium where you give 100 per cent on stage without burning out.”
So does she go to bed early and eat all the right things?
“Oh no, after the show we are all bursting with adrenaline, and get second wind.
“Because even though we are all on stage together, we don’t get to talk about how the show went until afterwards, so we tend to go out.
“And we are supposed to eat before, not after, the show.
But it’s quite hard in my corset, so we do become quite nocturnal when we are on tour,” she laughs.
“But I do have to be careful, because it’s things like shouting over the music in a bar or club that damage my voice the next day.”
Ashley is obviously having the time of her life, while working her boots off.
But every year, when the 10-month run finishes, the cast gets a few months off while they regroup and recast.
So does the Scottish lass go home and put her feet up?
“This year I went on holiday and had a great time but when I got back I got bored and frustrated.
“There is no doubt in my mind that this is what I am meant to be doing.
“And it’s a great part that so many dancers would love to do, that I make sure I never moan about it, because I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The show must go on.
So what is the first thing Ashley will check out when she arrives in Oxford then?
“The dressing rooms,” she laughs.
“They are usually fine but in Killarney in Ireland we all had to share the same one.
“And having a Starbucks and an M&S is vital too.”
She’ll have a ball here, then!
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