The next interview in our stagey chat series is with Carla Bertran, who is currently playing Tink in the UK tour of Bat Out of Hell. As well as Bat Out of Hell, Carla has also appeared in the UK tours of shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar and The Cher Show.

Hi Carla, how are you doing today? Thanks so much for chatting to Stage to Page! Would you mind introducing yourself to our readers and telling us how you first got into acting?

Hello, thank you so much for having me. I moved to London to study Musical Theatre when I was 18 years old, I guess that’s where my training started, the focus was very much on dancing so we didn’t get as much acting has always been quite a challenge for me and something I’m working hard to gain confidence in. Especially when it comes to expressing myself through words rather than dance, which I’m much more confident with. When I got given the chance to join the show, I felt that this was my chance to revisit that side of my craft and push myself. I’ve been taking a few different acting courses as I think it’s important that as artists we continue our training and develop our skills. It’s been a great opportunity to be in this show and pushing myself.

You're currently playing Tink in the UK touring production of Bat Out of Hell. Can you tell us about the story and the character you play?

The story is inspired by Peter Pan. We’re part of ‘The Lost’ this group of teenagers that are 18 years old and don’t grow up. Tink has been stuck at 13, so she is the youngest and everyone treats her differently. She happens to be in love with Strat, her best friend (to be honest, who hasn’t been at 13). Wanting to save her best friend, Tink makes a deal with Falco to save Strat that almost ends her life. I won’t say anymore, but this is only Tink’s story and there are many different storylines and characters to explore.

In a show that's packed full of iconic numbers and rock classics - is there a particular song you look forward to hearing or performing every night?

I think it’s Anything For Love. I’m lucky enough to be facing the band (every single person in that band is unbelievable) and every day when they play the beginning of that song I get a rush of adrenaline. It’s the perfect end to the show.

Do you find audience reactions change from city to city? And how does that affect your performance?

Yes they do! It’s probably the hardest but most interesting part of touring. It keeps things fresh because a big part of performing is to understand your audience and make sure you’re connecting with them, so it is interesting to feel the energy change from place to place.

My blog is called Stage to Page. But if you could turn any book, from page to stage, what would it be and why?

There’s this book that I read years ago. I read it in Catalan which is the original version but there’s an English translation: The Yellow World by Albert Espinosa.

I hope you can read it because it changed a lot of things for me and I hope that if you do, the translation in English is as well written as it was in my language because I remember so much beauty and wisdom in that book. I think it would work in theatre because of its depth and energy.

And finally, why should people book tickets to the UK tour of Bat Out of Hell?

We keep the spirit of rock and roll alive through the music and lyrics of Jim Steinman and Meatloaf. Do you need more reasons…

Come watch us, it’s fun, the voices of our cast are from another world and the band is magical.

You can book tickets to see Bat Out of Hell on its UK tour, here.

**photo credit: Chris Davis Studios**