Murder at Midnight is a follow up to Murder in the Dark, which you starred in last year. What made you want to come back for more?
We had huge fun touring Murder in the Dark and it was a great success. The audience really went with it, which was wonderful. Torben Betts is a brilliant writer, because his dialogue is so unexpected and unpredictable. I read one review that called him a poet, and I know what they mean. So it was an easy decision to come back for the next one. Working with Original Theatre feels a bit like rep in the old days, there’s an immediate feeling of trust. They really look after you.
Could you give us a flavour of the new story?
It’s brand spanking new, not a direct sequel. It’s a comedy-thriller, quite dark, and funnily gruesome. It all takes place in a modern, swish house in Kent, the sort of place that might be called ‘nouveau riche’ when I was a child. It’s owned by a drugs baron called Jonny the Cyclops, who’s surrounded by lots of different and eccentric characters, including mine. There are surprises galore.
Tell us a bit more about her
She’s the mother of Jonny, and she may or may not have dementia. Her son is supporting her, so she has everything she wants, including a carer. But she’s come from extremely humble beginnings. I don’t know what more I can say without giving too much away, but I’m really enjoying getting to know her. She’s a lot of fun to play.
You’re working with a great cast, including Jason Durr, Max Bowden and Katie McGlynn
I couldn’t be happier, they’re a delightful group. And I’m always thrilled to be in the cast with a fellow Coronation Street alumnus. When we first met making the promo, we had to visit a field surrounded by alpacas, and Katie and I just lay on a bench and merrily chatted about Corrie.
Do people still recognise you from Coronation Street?
They do, even though it was 20 years ago. It always surprises me when people recognise me, because I’m not particularly well known, but it’s nice when people have enjoyed my work. I remember the warmth of people in Manchester when I was up there filming it.
How did you start in acting initially?
Well I come from an acting family, and my grandmother [Annette Mills] and mother [Molly Blake] were both on TV when I was growing up, so it wasn’t considered a particularly strange or extraordinary thing to do. I did do some other jobs when I was starting out, working in shops and restaurants and that sort of thing, but I never felt at home. When I’m in a room full of actors, there is something so relaxing and enjoyable about it. They’re very open-minded as people, and I can’t bear close-mindedness.
You’ve worked with some comedy greats, such as Victoria Wood, Russ Abbott and Lee Mack. What makes them such good collaborators?
I wish I could call them collaborators! The thing about great comedians is that they’re often very clever and academically brilliant, whereas I consider myself a more old fashioned jobbing actor. But acting teaches you to be a good listener, so I’ve always been a good foil. Every great comedian needs a reliable straight man. When I first worked with Philip Franks, who’s directing Murder at Midnight, it was on a production of Kafka’s Dick by Alan Bennett. I remember telling him that I wasn’t very educated, and he said “well you bring the talent and I’ll bring the education”. I loved that.
Would you describe theatre as your first love?
Absolutely. I love an audience. That feeling of telling a story from beginning to end, and being in charge for that period of time, which is not something you tend to get on screen. And to top it off, at the end everyone says thank you, which is lovely!
Are you looking forward to getting back out on the road?
The joy of it is that I love exploring different parts of the country armed with my National Trust card and Art Pass. I’ll be carefully planning my itinerary around every venue. I’m 75 now, so in a sense it’s getting physically harder, and my patience is always tested by the railways. When I was younger that was never an issue. But fortunately I’m a Buddhist which helps me stay calm.
When did you become a Buddhist?
When I was about 40, and I really value the support and good advice it provides. I’m very happy, even though I get tired sometimes and I can’t unscrew water bottles. I’m fearless when I’m making friends now, and don’t worry about what people think of me. I also don’t blame other people for how I’m feeling. I think what it’s given me is a common sense attitude towards a lot of things that used to upset me. The major point is that if other people are happy, and we can have dialogue, the world will be a better place.