What persuaded you to appear in this world premiere production of Peter James’ Not Dead Enough, Laura?
I wanted to get back into acting. It was about finding the right team and the right role; something that had a bit of depth to it and which would be a challenge. I met Peter, Ian (Talbot, the director) and Joshua (Andrews, the producer), and I just knew it was a team I wanted to work with. I fell in love with the script and Peter's books. I've read a few of them, and it felt like the right thing to do. Plus, Cleo, my character, is a bit feisty - a strong woman. It’s a role I can sink my teeth into.
The first two Peter James stage plays have been huge hits. Why do you think audiences are so enthralled by his stories?
They're based on reality. Everything Peter does is researched so well and based on some sort of truth.
Were you familiar with Peter's work before this?
I know his books from airports. I fly so much for work, and I'll go, “I must pick up a new book, what's in the top ten?” - and there's always one of his there, right at the top!
Explain a little bit about Cleo...
She wants a commitment from Roy (played by Bill Ward), who’s the wrong man to want a commitment from. I think it's hard for a woman when there's an ex-wife or a past relationship, and there's so much uncertainty here.
When is this woman going to come back? Is she dead? How do you deal with someone who's a ghost but is also real?
It's not the easiest of times. Cleo is very strong. I feel she's got a lot to prove, and she's in love with a guy who is probably not the best guy to be in love with. She's also quite headstrong and doesn't like to show vulnerability, which I don't either. There are a few times in the play where something happens and she doesn't want him to know because she'd rather deal with it herself. I quite like that. She's very stubborn, and I guess I am too.
You trained in drama, so what’s it like revisiting that discipline after doing presenting work?
It's been ages since I did theatre, since I won a competition to be an MTV presenter about eight years ago. I did a few local productions in Dublin, and it's something I wanted to get back into. I suppose presenting is acting, in a way. And in doing Strictly Come Dancing, I found that I really enjoyed becoming a character for those few minutes while doing a dance. I found the acting part helped me get through the dancing. Growing up, I was obsessed with theatre and that ‘live’ feeling. Even more so than going to the movies, I loved watching live theatre, and I was very lucky that that was my little treat from my dad. My parents weren't together and once a week my dad would take me to see a play.
Any nerves?
More butterflies - but if you don't get butterflies, there's no point doing it.
What are you enjoying most about the tour?
The routine and the structure of it. When getting back into acting, the best thing you can do is theatre. I love working with a great team and a great director, and being a sponge and trying to absorb as much as I can. There's no better way to learn.
Will going home to Dublin be a special stop on the tour?
Absolutely - and it's a beautiful theatre. I moved to London eight years ago and I don't get home often. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to perform this play to a home crowd in Dublin. And to be able to have my mum and dad come to see it will be great.
Do you have any pre- or post-show routines or superstitions?
Pre-show and before doing live TV, I just like five minutes of time to myself. There's so much hustle and bustle, especially with live television, that it's nice to just disappear for a few minutes.
So you can act and dance - what's the one skill you don’t have but wish that you did?
I wish I could play an instrument well. I play guitar badly, but I wish I was that person who could just pick up a guitar at a party and play any song.
Peter's stories are very scary. What are you scared of in real life?
I'm scared of showing vulnerability because in this industry you have to be quite strong.
Not Dead Enough plays at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury from Monday 8th until Saturday 13th May
What persuaded you to appear in this world premiere production of Peter James’ Not Dead Enough, Laura?
I wanted to get back into acting. It was about finding the right team and the right role; something that had a bit of depth to it and which would be a challenge. I met Peter, Ian (Talbot, the director) and Joshua (Andrews, the producer), and I just knew it was a team I wanted to work with. I fell in love with the script and Peter's books. I've read a few of them, and it felt like the right thing to do. Plus, Cleo, my character, is a bit feisty - a strong woman. It’s a role I can sink my teeth into.
The first two Peter James stage plays have been huge hits. Why do you think audiences are so enthralled by his stories?
They're based on reality. Everything Peter does is researched so well and based on some sort of truth.
Were you familiar with Peter's work before this?
I know his books from airports. I fly so much for work, and I'll go, “I must pick up a new book, what's in the top ten?” - and there's always one of his there, right at the top!
Explain a little bit about Cleo...
She wants a commitment from Roy (played by Bill Ward), who’s the wrong man to want a commitment from. I think it's hard for a woman when there's an ex-wife or a past relationship, and there's so much uncertainty here.
When is this woman going to come back? Is she dead? How do you deal with someone who's a ghost but is also real?
It's not the easiest of times. Cleo is very strong. I feel she's got a lot to prove, and she's in love with a guy who is probably not the best guy to be in love with. She's also quite headstrong and doesn't like to show vulnerability, which I don't either. There are a few times in the play where something happens and she doesn't want him to know because she'd rather deal with it herself. I quite like that. She's very stubborn, and I guess I am too.
You trained in drama, so what’s it like revisiting that discipline after doing presenting work?
It's been ages since I did theatre, since I won a competition to be an MTV presenter about eight years ago. I did a few local productions in Dublin, and it's something I wanted to get back into. I suppose presenting is acting, in a way. And in doing Strictly Come Dancing, I found that I really enjoyed becoming a character for those few minutes while doing a dance. I found the acting part helped me get through the dancing. Growing up, I was obsessed with theatre and that ‘live’ feeling. Even more so than going to the movies, I loved watching live theatre, and I was very lucky that that was my little treat from my dad. My parents weren't together and once a week my dad would take me to see a play.
Any nerves?
More butterflies - but if you don't get butterflies, there's no point doing it.
What are you enjoying most about the tour?
The routine and the structure of it. When getting back into acting, the best thing you can do is theatre. I love working with a great team and a great director, and being a sponge and trying to absorb as much as I can. There's no better way to learn.
Will going home to Dublin be a special stop on the tour?
Absolutely - and it's a beautiful theatre. I moved to London eight years ago and I don't get home often. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to perform this play to a home crowd in Dublin. And to be able to have my mum and dad come to see it will be great.
Do you have any pre- or post-show routines or superstitions?
Pre-show and before doing live TV, I just like five minutes of time to myself. There's so much hustle and bustle, especially with live television, that it's nice to just disappear for a few minutes.
So you can act and dance - what's the one skill you don’t have but wish that you did?
I wish I could play an instrument well. I play guitar badly, but I wish I was that person who could just pick up a guitar at a party and play any song.
Peter's stories are very scary. What are you scared of in real life?
I'm scared of showing vulnerability because in this industry you have to be quite strong.
Not Dead Enough plays at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury from Monday 8th until Saturday 13th May