How do you solve a problem like inertia? Cabaret writer Rosie Williamson has some encouraging words to help you start a creative project.

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Do you have an intriguing idea for a musical, book or album bubbling away in the back of your mind?

Perhaps it’s been brewing for some time, but you haven’t done anything about it – not yet at least.

Well, take inspiration from Rosie Williamson – a singing teacher, performer, writer, producer and Julie Andrews superfan.

Rosie is the creator of What Would Julie Do?, a comedy cabaret show that pays homage to Dame Julie.

Her creative journey hasn’t been quick or easy, but it’s been rewarding and lots of fun.

Here’s how Rosie turned the seed of an idea into a reality, and some tips on how you can start a creative project of your own.

Let’s start at the very beginning

Rosie’s musical labour of love was sparked by a throwaway comment to her singing teacher.

“I was moaning about not being able to get into the room for things and feeling a bit lost,” she explains on the Singing Teachers Talk podcast.

“My teacher suggested I think about putting something together myself.”

In response, Rosie said: “I just want to play all of the roles that Julie Andrews has ever played, like Eliza in My Fair Lady and Maria in The Sound of Music.”

(For context, over the years, people have often told Rosie, who has a bright, pingy soprano voice, that she reminds them of Julie Andrews.)

The teacher proposed creating a tribute act, but being a tribute performer or impersonator didn’t appeal to Rosie, so she slept on the idea.

However, lying in bed at three in the morning, a thought came to her.

“I thought maybe I could combine my affiliation with Julie Andrews with my search to find meaning in the world,” she says.

“My search to become practically perfect in every way is something that’s followed me about a lot through my life. I’m definitely a recovering perfectionist.”

First steps

Initially, Rosie started a blog, using quotes from Dame Julie and her best-known characters as starting points for her own reflections.

Then she decided to turn the idea into a cabaret.

Rosie booked a venue, recruited some friends to help and went for it. What Would Julie Do? the show was born.

The concept has been constantly evolving ever since and is a collaborative effort with friend and musical director Matthew Samer.

The show is a mix of witty parodies, gorgeous harmonies, swearing and self-help, and has been performed at various venues across the UK.

And Rosie has created a solo show, too: Eliza von Poppins presents…A Practically Perfect Guide to Living.

Wouldn’t it be lovely to start a creative project of your own?

Here, in Rosie’s words, are some tips on how to take those first steps towards getting it off the ground.

Create a deadline

The first thing we ever did was just book a cabaret venue. We booked The Pheasantry in Chelsea. It wasn’t an extortionate hire fee, so we knew we would be able to cover our costs as long as we sold most of the tickets.

Don’t wait until it’s perfect

Allow it to be messy or an idea rather than a finished product. That’s what I did. If I hadn’t done that groundwork and just made something happen, we wouldn’t have got to the stage we’re at now.

Fit creativity into your day

I rarely sit down and write at a desk or computer. I’ll just write in the notes app on my phone. I get ideas when I’m walking the dog or in the shower.

Be kind to yourself

As singing teachers, we feel we need to be experts. But it’s so important to remind ourselves that it doesn’t have to be this perfect, technically assured performance all the time. It’s not an easy thing to navigate, and I totally relate to that in terms of impostor syndrome.

Learn more

Listen to the full interview with Rosie on the podcast, where she also discusses:

• Casting and promotion for her shows.
  
  
• The challenges of finding funding.
  
  
• Juggling the desire to create with the need to pay bills.