Press Gang Interview: Helen Dallimore Talks Storytelling, Melody Moss & Wicked

Helen is an actor, singer, director and writer who has enjoyed a successful career in theatre, musical theatre, film and television both in Australia and in the UK. She famously originated the role of Glinda in the West End production of Wicked opposite Idina Menzel. She is also the author of the Melody Moss books.

Helen took part in a Press Gang Video interview in March, 2026. Here are some of the highlights. 

Press Gang:

What inspired you to write your books?

Helen Dallimore:

They’re partly inspired by my own life. When I started high school, I felt like I didn’t quite fit in. I didn’t have many friends and I loved things like opera and musicals — which weren’t very popular at school.

I wanted to write a book that would help young people laugh about the awkwardness of starting high school, rather than feel pressured by it. I wanted readers to escape into a story and enjoy someone navigating those challenges with confidence and humour.

Press Gang:

If you weren’t an actress, what would you be?

Helen Dallimore:

I think I’m already doing it – I’d be a writer. When I was your age, I wanted to be both an actor and a writer. I chose acting first, and now I’m lucky enough to do both.

Press Gang:

What’s your favourite book and why?

Helen Dallimore:

That’s a great question. I’d probably say Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. You might know Oliver Twist – “Please sir, can I have some more?”

When I was younger, I loved Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree books. As I got older, I found there weren’t many Australian books for middle-grade readers, which is partly why I wanted to write the Melody Moss series.

Press Gang:

What movies or TV shows have you acted in?

Helen Dallimore:

I’ve been in quite a few Australian films. One recent one was Two Heads Creek – a comedy-horror, probably not suitable for you!

I’ve also been in Mr Accident. On TV, you might know Hardball on the ABC, where I played a rather nasty headmistress.

Press Gang:

You’ve worked in theatre, film and television. Which do you enjoy most?

Helen Dallimore:

Theatre – absolutely.

Performing live is exhilarating because you’re right there with the audience. You can hear them laugh and clap. There’s a shared energy.

Film and TV can be fun, but there’s lots of waiting around. Theatre gives you that immediate connection.

Press Gang:

How long have you been acting?

Helen Dallimore:

I graduated from NIDA (the National Institute of Dramatic Art) in 1995. So I’ve been working professionally for about 30 years.

Press Gang:

Does your experience as a performer help you when writing stories?

Helen Dallimore:

Yes, absolutely. Acting is storytelling. When I’m writing, I’m improvising – but in my head. The brain is doing the same thing in both cases: imagining and telling a story.

Press Gang:

Who inspired you to start acting and writing?

Helen Dallimore:

I loved watching old movie musicals from the 1950s when I was young. Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers — those performers inspired me enormously.

Press Gang:

You were the original Glinda in Wicked in London. What was it like creating that role?

Helen Dallimore:

It was very exciting. The role had been performed on Broadway with American accents, but in London, we used British accents. That changed the character significantly and allowed me to shape the role in my own way.

It was a wonderful opportunity.

Press Gang:

Did winning awards change how you feel about your work?

Helen Dallimore:

Not really. It’s lovely to win awards, and it gives you confidence, but it doesn’t fundamentally change how I feel about my work, except perhaps a greater sense of responsibility to keep doing a good job.

Press Gang:

What was your journey to becoming an actress?

Helen Dallimore:

I auditioned for NIDA four times before getting in. I was very persistent!

After graduating, I joined the Sydney Theatre Company, got an agent, and began auditioning regularly. Over the past 30 years, I’ve been fortunate to work across theatre, film and television.

Press Gang:

How do you prepare for very different roles?

Helen Dallimore:

It starts with the script. I imagine what the character sounds like and how they move. I even try to dress like the character for auditions. A good script does a lot of the work for you.

When do you plan to retire from acting?

Helen Dallimore:

Never! Acting is one of those careers where there are roles for every age. As long as I’m healthy, I’d love to keep working.