About this episode

Amber Davies interviews Natalie Kassanga about her experiences in the West End and the challenges of performing.

On this episode of Call To Stage , we're joined by the sparkling and joyously warm Natalie Kassanga. Natalie made her West End debut at the age of nine playing young Nala in The Lion King , before going on to train at Sylvia Young. Since then she has become one of the most exciting performers of her generation, with credits including Satine in Moulin Rouge! (West End), Dina in Dreamgirls (UK Tour), Irene in Crazy For You (West End), and understudying both Zoe and Alana in Dear Evan Hansen (West End). On this episode of Call To Stage , Amber and Natalie talk about the extraordinary experience of making your West End debut as a child, the physical and emotional toll of touring Dreamgirls and the unexpected joy of landing Satine in Moulin Rouge! and discovering a note she didn't know she had. There are also stories from Dear Evan Hansen, Crazy For You and The Lion King , as well as a candid conversation about the undervalued art of being a cover, the importance of hydration and the importance of looking after yourself as a performer. For more bonus content, join the Call To Stage Backstage Pass on Patreon…

People in this episode

Host: Amber Davies

Guest: Natalie Kassanga

Topics covered

• West End debut
• vocal health
• child acting
• touring
• performing arts
• Moulin Rouge
• Dreamgirls

Keywords

• Natalie Kassanga
• Moulin Rouge
• Dreamgirls
• West End
• vocal health
• child acting
• theater

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Lion King, Moulin Rouge!, Dreamgirls, Crazy For You, Dear Evan Hansen

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
• 125 - Annabelle Terry on Legally Blonde, Shakespeare & Training · June 23, 2026 · 41 min
• 124 - Karen Mavundukure on Legally Blonde, Tour Digs & Dreamgirls · June 16, 2026 · 36 min

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