If you were to glance at press photos or concert footage of Georgi Mottram, you might assume she lives the life of a princess. Performing opera in a ball gown, quite literally in front of royalty at Windsor Castle, suggests a life of luxury, flitting effortlessly between performances and dinners with society’s elite. But that image of refinement is only one side of the coin. Minutes into our video interview, I met a charismatic, elated, and down-to-earth persona, surrounded by the chaos of a London flat hastily moved in and out of. Georgi was perched on the floor, leaning against the side of her bed, charging her phone amid what could only be described as a ‘floordrobe’ (albeit an exquisite one).
It had been a hectic week. She’d toured Scotland, performing at Perth Concert Hall and the Elma Theatre in Dunfermline, before heading to the Glasgow Pavilion and Cambridge’s Corn Exchange. The whirlwind journey was undertaken in a sixteen-sleeper tour bus, with eight in each bunked room and no running water. Living quarters were so cramped that showers and pyjama changes had to happen backstage, while their elaborate gowns travelled separately in a dedicated costume van. Backstage, the glamour disappeared instantly. The real uniform was leggings and half-zipped hoodies, right up until the final frantic minutes before curtain.
“It’s been absolutely wild,” Georgi laughed, recalling the cramped quarters and quick changes. “You’re camping at a show, whilst needing to look quite glamorous on stage. We shower at the theatre before we get in our pyjamas and go back on the bus.”
The duality of glitz and grind feels central to Georgi’s world as both a performer and an entrepreneur. After years of performing and hosting, first in London and then internationally, Georgi experienced a mindset shift. “My whole life I’ve been working so hard day in and day out for opportunities,” she said. “I basically wanted to stop waiting for the phone to ring, so I thought, do you know what? I’ll just cut out the middle man and create it myself.” This led to her co-producing, writing, and marketing The Princess Proms – over two hours of family-friendly, dress-up singalongs that attract a crowd that could easily be mistaken for a princess convention. This self-determined spark turned into a fully fledged show by March, snowballing into the autumn with over 60,000 tickets sold. They’ve filled cathedrals and concert halls, and secured a full American theatre tour for next year. “I can’t wrap my head around how big it’s grown,” she admitted. “It feels too good to be true.”
When asked what she thinks has made the show resonate so intensely, she admitted, “It could be that we wear really pretty dresses and sing nice songs.” But ultimately, she believes the key is the emotional core that underscores each performance. “The message is to uplift everyone,” she said. “To empower them, and remind them that they are capable, they are special, and they’ve got all the magic in the world inside of them already.”
It’s a blend of magic and realism that is also characteristic of Winter Enchanted, a magical Christmas show returning to Jersey on 21st December. Presented by Georgi and Flair Entertainment, the stage at the Opera House is set to provide the pinnacle of family-friendly festive performances. With music from beloved classics such as Frozen, The Polar Express, The Snowman, The Little Mermaid, Home Alone, Wicked, and The Greatest Showman, it promises an evening of fun brought to life by a sensational cast of West End vocalists, professional musical theatre performers, and a dynamic ensemble of dancers, aerialists, and fire performers. “The show is essentially the best-loved magical animation and pop songs with this classical twist,” Georgi explained. “It’s songs you would have heard, but never like how they’re sung in the show.” The classic edge is her signature; a nod to years of intensive training and the foundation of the world she’s built.
@georgimottram
