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“With the Slavic roles, Tatyana is at the easier end of the Tchaikovsky spectrum and has
very much become a part of me. Lisa is the biggest Slavic heroine I have tackled so far –

and again there’s an overwhelming amount of orchestra.”

She adds: “All of these women are very emotional characters, but for me it helps to get
the emotion out in the rehearsal process, so that if there are any tears to be shed, you’ve

done it in the rehearsal room.”

Continues...

Q&A Natalya Romaniw

What was your first non-theatre job?
At 14, I was a Saturday girl at Gershwin’s Coffee House, Swansea, then a ‘food guru’ at

M&S Simply Foods, Pontarddulais.

What was your first theatrical job?

I played Eve in Stephen Schwartz’s Children of Eden for my local drama school, Class

Act Theatre School, in Swansea Grand Theatre and in Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff.

What do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?

It wouldn’t have fallen on the right ears at that early stage, but: this career is hard, and

it’ll have its ups and downs.

Who or what is your biggest influence?

My late Ukrainian grandfather, affectionately known as Dido. He taught himself to

dance and play the accordion, and always had the biggest zest for life and music.

What is your audition advice?

It doesn’t get easier as you get older. Just focus on the music, present yourself well, and

do what you’re there to do.

If you hadn’t been a singer, what would you have done?

I liked languages in college but I’m pretty certain I’d have ended up in the arts.

Do you have any theatrical superstitions or rituals?

No, but I always like to be at the theatre at least a couple of hours before the show.