Soaking it all up

We speak to the expert from last weeks Nancy Mission.

Last week the Nancys took part in a rowing challenge after expert training from ex-GB Rowing Team and Olympic athlete Phil Simmons.

We caught up with Phil for a quick chat

Can you tell us about what you do?

I work for the Amateur Rowing Association in Coaching Development in London and was previously a member of the GB Rowing Team and competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Can you explain the work you did with the Nancys?

I took them through some basic techniques on the indoor rowing machine and did some short tests to gauge the fitness levels of the Nancys. They were then given the opportunity to try the real thing out on the water and finish with a side by side race.

Why are these skills important for west end actors?

To perform for eight 2-hour shows each week they need to be fit. The shows will be demanding physically and emotionally and the girls need to perform at their best each time so they need to recover fast from each performance. They also need to have similar posture and body control on the stage.

How did the Nancys get on?

The Nancys did great. They were enthusiastic despite the rain and really wanted to know more about fitness regimes and also mental skills that will help them to the top. They soaked up information from me and the other coaches with us on the day.

Did anyone stand out?

They were all fantastic but in particular Rachel showed real determination to be the best she could possibly be. Rachel is smart and a very tough girl. Jessie impressed me with her willingness to learn and change, she showed the same determination as some of the young guys in the GB rowing team. Sarah also stood out as she is unable to swim and gave the rowing on the water a real go. Sarah was prepared to get out of her comfort zone and take a chance which is vital to be the best at anything.

What do you think makes a good Oliver?

I think for Oliver the boys need to enjoy what they do and have a good life balance as they are still quite young.

What do you think makes a good Nancy?

I think a good Nancy needs to be more than just a fantastic singer and actress; they need to be one of the key people in the whole performance. The Nancys need to be determined and be prepared to deal with whatever is thrown at them. They need to perform at their best each rehearsal and each show, as well as work with a close knit team to get the best out the rest of the cast and crew.