» Shrink Fit
Andrew Kay talks to Michelle Collins and Rupert Hill about new theatre production Deceptions
Canny producers in the theatre would be crazy not to cast from that vast pool of TV stars that will almost certainly guarantee bums on seats. But over the last decade the British theatre has been dogged by soap actors who when confronted by a live audience simply do not measure up.
Interviewing Michelle Collins and Rupert Hill, both famous for their TV roles, it is hard not to question whether they are up to the task ahead. I met Rupert first and am surprised that he is not a cockney but rather more home counties. His training as an actor is university based and his specialism was eastern and eastern European theatre. I have to ask if it was helpful when working on Coronation Street and he smiles. TV acting is very different he says, very different.
I ask if it was a tough decision leaving ‘The Street’. ‘‘I always knew that I wanted to move on and do other things, yes it was hard giving up the salary that a soap offers to move into live theatre where the money is much much less, but so far I have been very lucky and had plenty of theatre work which I am really enjoying. Deceptions is a great challenge, a fantastic script with a terrific twist and I am really enjoying working with Michelle. The play is a two hander so it’s very demanding but rehearsals are going very well.’’
When Michelle joins me she is clearly nervous. Her track record is much longer than Rupert’s but she seems far less confident and I ask her why. ‘‘I always find this stage of a new job unnerving. It’s a big role and the two of us have to sustain the entire thing.‘‘ I point out that this is not her first theatre job and she laughs. ‘‘I know it’s just me, maybe I need the nerves to feed what I do.’’
Collins came to the public’s attention as Cindy in EastEnders. ‘‘I seem to have carved a niche playing tough or hard women but this role is very different, I play a psychiatrist, an intellectual woman.‘‘ Did you do lots of research for the role? ‘‘Well I read a lot of books.’’ I ask if Cindy hangs around her neck like an albatross and she laughs. ‘‘Well, yes and no, I will always be remembered as Cindy and people still come up to me and call me Cindy, at the same time that role opened a lot of doors for me and I have had a great career ever since.’’ I ask if we will see her sing live on stage again. ‘‘I love to sing and have recently done the East End musical Daddy Cool, I just wait to see what comes along, TV, film, live theatre, and balancing all that with bringing up a family. I am very proud of the film The Illustrated Mum which won an Emmy and two BAFTAs and Broken which also went on to win awards. I have also started my own production company so I am getting to know how hard this business is from both sides of the fence.’’
Collins is more relaxed so I dare to ask if there is any truth in the rumour that she may be appearing in the US hit TV series Desperate Housewives. ‘‘Well, let’s put it like this, I have had contact with the producers but so far it is a simple case of my people have been talking to their people.’’
Collins continues to win praise for her TV work and is one of the soap survivors, a consummate professional, a real actor and certainly one worth watching.
Deceptions, Theatre Royal Brighton, Monday 29 June 2009 to Saturday 4 July
08700 606650 www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal
