JOANNA Higson is making the most of her first job in professional theatre - a double role at the Bolton Octagon.
The Salford University graduate is currently juggling afternoon rehearsals for the theatre's forthcoming production of Bill Naughton's Spring and Port Wine and evening performances of Jim Cartwright's Road.
Joanna, who appeared in the last episode of Cold Blood on ITV1 and will soon be seen in a new BBC comedy Scallywagga, said: "It's strange because both plays are so different. Road is high energy and chaotic, and Spring and Port Wine is set in a family environment."
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It tells the story of the Crompton family, and strict disciplinarian Rafe, who rules his wife and their four children with a rod of iron.
Daughter Hilda rebels by refusing to eat a herring which is then, at Rafe's insistence, brought out at every subsequent meal, providing the catalyst for the revealing of some home truths and challenging Rafe's role as patriarch of the family.
Joanna said: "It's brilliant doing both at the same time. It's my first professional theatre job and I'm learning so much.
"The director Noreen Kershaw is amazing and the cast are great; I have learnt such a lot from the likes of Paul Simpson."
Joanna said there had been complaints about smoking and swearing in Road, but it was part and parcel of the Farnworth playwright's work.
"It's about real life, a night on a Road, and that is what happens. Spring and Port Wine is more subtle and there are lots of layers to it. The family are together through most of it and you can relate to them. They are just like my family in parts," she said.
Joanna said she likes the variety of roles theatre offers, and would like to perform in a Greek tragedy as there are many strong parts for women.
She said: "I love the theatre. I don't understand how you can go into acting if you don't. You can be much more creative and expressive in the theatre than on television. Acting on television is much more restrictive."
She adds that she has been impressed with the level of commitment of everyone at the Octagon.
"The team here are all brilliant and everyone has a part to play," she says. "There's no-one coming in and saying they are the star. There's no room for egos in theatre."
Road ended its run at the Octagon last night. Spring and Port Wine runs between April 3 and 26, and tickets are available from £8.50 to £18.50 on 01204 520661 or at www.octagonbolton.co.uk.
Posted by: RockyRereturns, Bicester on 2:27pm Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote][bold]RockyRereturns[/bold] wrote:
No doubt Leroy will be on later to tell us how she is one of his new found friends and how their eyes met over the Bread Aisle at Sainsburys.[/quote] Right on Cue...
and the fire curtain falls.
RockyRereturns wrote:
No doubt Leroy will be on later to tell us how she is one of his new found friends and how their eyes met over the Bread Aisle at Sainsburys.
Posted by: RockyRereturns, Bicester on 2:28pm Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Sun Tzu[/bold] wrote:
Rocky - I hear he's landed the role of standard-lamp.[/quote] Indeed, and they don't need bulbs with those stage lights.
Sun Tzu wrote:
Rocky - I hear he's landed the role of standard-lamp.
Indeed, and they don't need bulbs with those stage lights.
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