“I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be”: Phoebe Panaretos on Sinatra at Aldwych Theatre

Handpicked by Nancy Sinatra’s daughter to play her mother, Phoebe Panaretos returns to the role in Sinatra the Musical for its West End run at the Aldwych Theatre. Previously Inez in Zorro the Musical, and Fran in the world premiere of Strictly Ballroom, Panaretos’ career of over ten years has gone from strength to strength. As rehearsals go full speed ahead, Panaretos reflects on what this role means to her as she prepares to portray Nancy Sinatra once again.

You are stepping back into the role of Nancy Sinatra for your West End tenure. She was a very real person, with a somewhat complex life. How do you balance the accuracy of portraying the real Nancy Sinatra with your personal interpretation of her?

From the moment I read the script in preparation for my audition, I felt an immediate connection to Nancy Sinatra – I instinctively understood who she was. I believe that played a big part in me landing the role and ultimately being cast by Tina Sinatra. There was a real sense of trust placed in me when I was given the role. So many people had to say yes, and once that happened, I felt empowered to dig deeper. What makes our show different is that these are real people who were deeply loved. To do the role justice, I had to let that be the foundation of my character development.

During the rehearsal process, what was the most surprising thing you discovered about Nancy Sinatra, and did that in any way impact your perception of her or the role?

I think the biggest thing that surprised me about Nancy Sinatra was learning about the struggles in her marriage with Frank Sinatra, and, in spite of all she went through, what struck me most was the depth of her unconditional love for him.

Most remember Nancy Sinatra in relation to Frank, but she had her own identity and strength. How does the musical explore her in her own right, and how has it been for you bringing her to life in a very four-dimensional way?

It’s something I’m still working through and, at times, it can be quite challenging, as she really loved and supported Frank unconditionally. He was a huge part of her life, and she would do almost anything for him. The more I learn about their backstory – where they came from, the dreams they shared, and how those dreams came to life – the more I begin to see and understand it. His success was as much a victory for her as it was for him. Through that lens, I’ve come to better understand her. She was an extraordinarily selfless woman – deeply loving and unwavering in that love for Frank and their children.

Being handpicked by Tina Sinatra (Frank and Nancy’s daughter) to play her mother is very special, and clearly a testament to your portrayal of Nancy. How did that moment feel when you found out? Does it impact how you will play the role?

Of course, it impacts the way I play the role. Anything Tina gives me feels like the holy grail. She carries the truest understanding of her mother – her perspective is rooted in love, respect, and lived experience in a way no one else’s can be. So I absorb everything she offers like a sponge. When I found out I got the part, I was completely overjoyed. It felt like a real win for me – not just professionally, but personally. It validated my decision to move to this country and all the sacrifices that came with it.

It seems that you have been handpicked a couple of times – first, Strictly Ballroom, now this! Do you feel pressure to maintain this sort of acclaim in future roles, or do you just take it in your stride?

Being chosen by Baz Luhrmann was equally special – and truly life-changing – but that was a decade ago now. I would love for experiences like this to become the norm in my career going forward, but I’m also very aware that moments like this don’t come around often.

That’s what makes this opportunity feel so significant. Having experienced something like it before only deepens my appreciation for it now. It reminds me not to take any of it for granted, and to really recognise just how rare and extraordinary these moments are.

Is it right to say that your career began in 2014 with Strictly Ballroom? How do you feel you’ve evolved as a performer since then? What advice would you give to your younger self, and any aspiring actor?

My career really began when I did Strictly Ballroom. Starting with such a bang was an incredible experience, but it also set my expectations very high. Getting that role at such a young age gave me the confidence to move to this country – it played a big part in that decision.

Coming here and starting again wasn’t easy. And if I could give my younger self any advice, it would be to ride the wave of it all. This industry can be feast or famine, and it’s important to trust that when things are down, they will come back up again. That’s certainly been true for my career so far.

You originated the role of Nancy Sinatra in Birmingham. Having sung the role in Birmingham and in concert, has your performance changed since then?

Yeah, the role has definitely evolved. I think she’s deepened, and we’ve found new moments between her and Frank that further colour the dynamic of their relationship. It feels richer, more layered.

It’s also quite different this time, because we have new people involved, which brings a completely new energy to the story. We’re still discovering it all in rehearsals, but so far it’s been an incredible process – and I’m really loving where it’s heading.

In working with director Kathleen Marshall again on the same show, has anything changed in her directorial approach? Have more layers been added or even removed within the show?

Working with Kathleen again has been such a gift. I think the biggest change is in our relationship – we’ve known each other for over two and a half years now, and that connection has really grown. With that, the trust has deepened, too.

Feeling confident and relaxed in a rehearsal room is quite rare for an actor, especially at the start of a process, so I feel very fortunate. I know I’m in safe hands. I feel comfortable with the people around me, and I think that sense of trust only strengthens the work.

It is quite a dynamic trio – you, Joel Harper Jackson, and Anna Villafañe. What’s that interplay like in rehearsals?

The dynamic of the love triangle is still something we’re discovering in the rehearsal room, but it’s undeniably a dramatic one. The interplay between the three of us is still evolving, and part of the process has been understanding how each character truly affects the others. I feel very lucky to be in such strong company – both actors bring so much depth to the work.

You began your career in Australia with Strictly Ballroom, but you’ve also worked in both the US and UK theatrelands. How have these different theatre worlds and cultures shaped you?

I think Australia is a real culmination of both American and British influences. Especially in the theatre space, we’ve absorbed so much from the West End and Broadway, and then shaped that into something uniquely our own. For me, I feel like I’ve taken something from everywhere I’ve worked and from all the different people I’ve collaborated with. Hopefully, that just means I come into the room with more tools in my pocket – more to draw on, and more to offer.

Do you feel that this musical transferring to the West End (Aldwych Theatre) marks a turning point in your international career?

It definitely marks a turning point in my career. This is exactly what I moved here for – to be part of creating something from its inception. That’s what I loved so much about Strictly Ballroom and being involved in a world-originating musical, and now I get to do it again. This time, it’s on an even bigger stage, with a more global reach, and that’s always been the dream. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

After such a major West End debut, are there any roles or projects that you actively have your eye on?

There are definitely projects I hope to be involved in in the future, but I’m trying to stay present with what will be my reality for the next year – Sinatra: The Musical. Whatever comes my way, I’m open and excited for it, but right now I’m really happy to be where I am. It feels important to just stay grounded in this moment, do the work fully, and still allow myself to dream about what might come next.

Cards on the table – any show, any role – what are your top five bucket list roles/shows?

I only really have one dream role, and that’s to play Bobby in Company. It’s something I would absolutely love to do.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.