Marisha’s tour sees her returning to the Adelphi Theatre, where she was Opening Up at Waitress the Musical.

Marisha Wallace: It was a magical time; it was my last show before the pandemic so it was a special moment. I performed with so many amazing people who are still my brothers and sisters. That time at the Adelphi in Waitress was a huge part of my journey in London. When I started I had just finished playing Effie and I was so exhausted from that experience. That role was so heavy. And I was going through a divorce. I was low.

When I came to the Adelphi, I found my London family. Waitress was all about love and starting over and finding a new life. Overcoming loss of relationships and starting fresh. It was what I needed at the time. A place to heal. A place to be safe and I felt that love every night. The Diner wasn’t just a made up place, it was real and we were a family. Those Waitress Karaoke nights were electric. The friends and fans I made on Waitress are like family to this day.

And before that, Marisha was taking to the Broadway stage.

MW: I thank God for my Broadway family and what I learned from all the legends I got to work with. But I think Broadway boxed me in a bit when I was there. I was the random black girl singing soul, which I was very good at. But I wanted more. I found that in the West End, they allowed me to be whatever I wanted to be and there were no preconceived notions. The roles I have played have varied so much. It has been a blessing to be creatively free. I feel like a real artist here.

Her favourite song to perform live from both sides of the Atlantic?

MW: I think it will have to be And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going. Who knew a song could change your life? I have been singing it since I was 16 at pageants and county fairs. And then it took me from New York to London. So many people still come up to me to tell me how they felt when they heard me sing it. It takes you out of your body and makes you feel everything. Hurt, anger, rage, triumph, and even hope. And standing ovations every night after singing it doesn’t hurt either.

But those standing ovations don’t come without a lot of hard work. What’s one thing Marisha’s learnt from the business that she would advise to those just starting?

MW: Don’t wait on someone to make you a star, do it yourself. Make your own art. Write that play. Write that TV show you want to star in. Go build that business. I knew I had to be the person in the driver’s seat of my career and my life. When I stopped waiting on other people’s validation of my work, it finally came. You have to just go and seek the dream you have for yourself. No one is going to just hand you a career out the sky. You have to do the work. Small steps can add up to a big change.

And with that comes Marisha’s solo show in March. So what can we expect?

MW: My show is a celebration of my journey here in London. Some have followed me from Tap Dancing Egg, to Effie, to Becky, to Ado Annie, to Adelaide, to Celebrity Big Brother and to the Olivier Awards. This is a celebration of my time here in London through music, dance and inspiration. You will be hearing songs you know me for from my musical theatre shows. Songs from my diva inspirations like Whitney, Aretha and Etta James. And also my own pop music that you’ve heard on the radio. I’ll be bringing out friends who have helped me along the way. We’re gonna laugh, cry, dance but most of all celebrate life.

Magic of Christmas comes to The London Palladium on Sat 16 November 2024. For tickets, click here.
The Palladium Panto, Robin Hood, opens at The London Palladium from Sat 7 December 2024. For tickets, click here.
Marisha’s solo show comes to the Adelphi Theatre on Tue 11 March 2025. For more info and to book tickets, click here.