About this episode

Amber Davies interviews Karen Mavundukure about her journey in musical theatre and experiences on tour.

On this episode of Call To Stage , we're joined by the sensational Karen Mavundukure - Amber's Paulette, partner in on-stage comedy crime and self-described forever sister. Karen's journey into musical theatre came almost by accident. After moving to the UK from Zimbabwe as a child and studying straight music at LIPA with no intention of going into theatre, she stumbled into the industry via The X Factor and a chance audition, going on to play alternate Effie in the original West End cast of Dreamgirls. She has since starred in The Color Purple (UK Tour), Stranger Things: The First Shadow (West End), and now stars as Paulette in the UK Tour of Legally Blonde. On this episode of Call To Stage , Amber and Karen talk about the unconventional route Karen took to landing Paulette, unique creative freedom of director Nikolai Foster's rehearsal room and the comedic chemistry between Paulette and Elle that has become one of the heart-and-soul moments of the show. There are also brilliant stories from Dreamgirls , The Color Purple and Stranger Things , as well as a candid conversation about the toll of pushing through illness on tour, touring digs gone wrong, and letting go of…

People in this episode

Host: Amber Davies

Guest: Karen Mavundukure

Topics covered

• musical theatre
• personal journey
• creative process
• touring experiences
• vocal health

Keywords

• musical theatre
• Legally Blonde
• Dreamgirls
• touring
• vocal health
• Karen Mavundukure
• Amber Davies

Sponsors

Shopify

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Legally Blonde, Dreamgirls, The Color Purple, Stranger Things: The First Shadow

More episodes of Call To Stage with Amber Davies

• 128 - Jenna Russell on Working With Sondheim, Les Miserables & Sinatra · July 14, 2026 · 41 min
• 127 - Ryan Kopel on Dear Evan Hansen, Skincare Routines, Discipline & Newsies · July 7, 2026 · 34 min
• 126 - Natalie Kassanga on Moulin Rouge, Vocal Health, Child Acting & Dreamgirls · June 30, 2026 · 38 min
• 125 - Annabelle Terry on Legally Blonde, Shakespeare & Training · June 23, 2026 · 41 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Call To Stage with Amber Davies podcast page.