A Wild Journey to the Stage: 15 Milestone Moments with Dawn Sievewright

Wild Rose, a new musical making its world premiere at The Lyceum, tells the story of Rose-Lynn, a free-spirited Glaswegian determined to make it big as a country singer in Nashville. Set against the backdrop of Glasgow, it's a moving exploration of motherhood, dreams, and the courage to chase a seemingly impossible goal.

Leading the cast as Rose-Lynn, Dawn Sievewright's path to performing was shaped by moments of magic, music, and grit. In this reflection on her career, Dawn shares the pivotal milestones that have defined her journey - from childhood memories that sparked a love for music, to West End stages, and beyond. Here's a look at the moments that shaped her.

Tell us about...

1. Your earliest music memory

There was music everywhere in my childhood. Whether it was my dad blaring Led Zepplin or Thin Lizzy, or my Granny singing a beautiful little ditty like 'Show Me the Way to Go Home' or 'You Are My Sunshine'. But I can absolutely remember being sat in front of The Wizard of Oz as a child and hearing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'. My Grandad would show me all of the classic Hollywood musicals - Meet Me in St Louis, Singing in the Rain - but there was something about the other worldly nature of Judy and that incredible orchestra. It changed me.

2. The first album you bought

Before I had an album to play, Chesney Hawkes' 'The One and Only' was in the CD player - over and over and over again. But after that, my mum has just reminded me that I was a lassie who loved a boyband. Boyzone - Said and Done was the first purchase and then when Backstreet's Back came out by the Backstreet Boys... GAME OVER!

3. The first gig you went to

I'm going to lose any kind of respect for this one! Look, I was a child of the 90s, so of course was obsessed with pop. Blue, Britney, Hearsay, Steps, S Club 7. I begged my parents to let me see most of these people multiple times. My dad would drop me off and sit in the car and wait it out as I ran out with glitter all over my face and bubble gum in my hair!

4. A favourite memory from growing up in Scotland

I have a very vivid memory of playing out the back of a friend's tenement flat when I was very wee. In the garden, by the bins. Specifically the little foot-shaped holes they would design in the metal fences on top of the brick walls in the garden, so you could climb over from garden to garden and run an absolute riot - those things were the BEST!

5. The first theatre show you went to

My mum and dad took me to London when I was fifteen and asked me what I wanted to see. I remember sitting in the Dominion Theatre waiting for We Will Rock You to start. As soon as the opening number ripped from the speakers, I grabbed onto my arm rests and turned to my dad with my mouth wide open. My seat was vibrating with the sheer volume of the music. It was like being on a rollercoaster - I loved it.

6. When you realised you wanted to be a performer

I don't think I have a simple answer for that one. I don't think I ever woke up one day and thought, NOW. I knew that I always enjoyed making people laugh and performing in talent shows at school. A teacher at my secondary school, Hilary Dickie, bundled me into a show when I was a teenager and after that the love for working hard at playing someone else and putting my all into learning new things stuck around.

7. Moving to London for drama school

I ran down south! I was a young drama school student, moving to Guildford when I was 17. I just remember having my mind blown that I was going to live in a house with all my mates and then get to turn up and study acting all day. It really was a pivotal time for me - not an easy one, but one that taught me to hold on to what made me different from everyone else as tightly as I possibly could.

8. Being told to lose your Glaswegian accent for work

Mannnnn this is such a tough one. I was told by one voice teacher: "You'll never get in to this school. Over my dead body." I was told by another dialect coach to stop being the clown. I've had it all. Be clearer, be more palatable, be more "commercial". Hand on heart I can say that of all the roles I have ever played in my career, the ones in which I was my true self accent wise have been the ones that have resonated with people the most. Being Glaswegian is 99.99% of who I am. It has given me so much. Why would I want to lose it? Ever!

9. Your first professional acting role

The first job I got out of drama school was playing Monkey in the UK tour of Quadrophenia. I went into the audition and a man in a long coat and glasses asked me what I thought of The Who. I replied: "I'm not really sure who they are, my dad loved them though." Little did I know that I was talking to Pete Townsend. They cast me anyway! It was a whirlwind of touring every city in the UK - weekly - for nine months. Most of my best friends now are from that job. We grew up together on the road playing these vagabond Mods. Whenever I play the concept album now, it still makes me cry.

10. Your first time working with John Tiffany

I met John way back when I was in Glasgow Girls for the National Theatre of Scotland, but worked with him properly on Pinocchio at the National Theatre in 2017. He, along with Steven Hoggett [co-choreographer of Wild Rose], created a rehearsal room that is exactly the same as Wild Rose's. It feels immensely special, like being with family. They cultivate hard work, respect and, most importantly, a lot of laughter.

11. When you initially heard about the Wild Rose project

Along with everyone else, I watched the film when it was released in cinemas, then a few years back heard a rumour that there was a stage adaptation happening. Of course, inside my heart was burning for an opportunity to get in the room. A few days later, I was stood in my kitchen and my agent emailed. The subject line said: "Workshop Wild Rose - Rose-Lynn Harlan". It had made its way to me - we've never looked back.

12. Finding connections between yourself and Rose-Lynn

I could go on and on about the hundreds of things I share with this character. I've been called wild my whole life - too much, too angry. I understand what it feels like not knowing where you fit in and, like Rose-Lynn, having zero clue where to put the massive ball of burning emotion that's in her chest. Also, I'm sure a lot of creatives can testify to this, knowing that if you can't sing or perform or connect with music, that life will always be that little bit more dull.

13. Singing the music from the show for the first time

I remember standing in front of John and Nicole at a workshop with a small and mighty band behind me. Guitar, fiddle, keys. As soon as we started singing the songs from the show something happened, I can't explain it. The music, the notes, not even necessarily me singing, but what the band were doing was just epic. I finished singing 'Glasgow' - the final song - and there was just silence. It worked. I ran to the toilet and burst out crying.

14. Starting rehearsals with the whole cast

Starting rehearsals, I was just blown away with everyone's talent. Everyone brings their own individual energy. This might be a story about a singer and her journey with music, but this show encapsulates a whole community. This company, they're authentic and wildly talented!

15. Something from Wild Rose that you think will stay with you

"There's no place like home". The Wizard of Oz has been my favourite film my whole life. I never thought I would come back to Scotland to live and work like I have. Being able to stand in front of a Scottish audience and my family and friends and tell them they cannot be beaten. I don't think anything could top that! Do you!?