A new stage adaptation of 1992 film Single White Female tours to the region next month and stars one-time Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh, who flexes her stage-acting muscles in the complex role of Hedy - an outwardly charming character who isn’t quite what she seems. 

Kym here talks about taking on the iconic role, how the gripping story has been updated, and explains that even for diehard fans of the movie, there will still be a few surprises in store...

“This is my villain era!” says Kym Marsh, with a laugh so warm it’s hard to imagine the actress being remotely villainous. 

Yet, in her latest role as Hedy, in the world-premiere stage adaptation of the 1992 psychological thriller Single White Female, audiences are in for a surprise. 

The play is on a six-month tour of the UK, taking in 20-plus venues across the country. It tells the story of recently divorced mum Allie - played by TV presenter, actor & author Lisa Faulkner - who is trying to juggle childcare with starting a new business. When she advertises for a lodger to help make ends meet, along comes the seemingly delightful Hedy - but quickly we see that all is not as it seems, and their new friendship takes a sinister turn. 

Kym, perhaps best known for starring as  Michelle Connor in Coronation Street for 13 years, is no stranger to playing characters with a hidden darker side: “Actually, my last few roles have been pretty villainous - and I love it! It's so easy to play the typical moustache twiddler. But I want to make Hedy a little bit more layered and actually have people be a bit taken aback - unsure if she’s good or bad right up to the last minute - and even feel sorry for her, particularly near the end.”

So how did Kym come to take on such an interesting and chilling role? 

“After I played Alex Forrest in the stage version of Fatal Attraction, we started to have discussions about other projects. We came up with the idea of Single White Female because it had never been done before. It was also within that kind of genre of those epic, classic films that had a real impact on people at that time. So I’ve been attached to it from the start and it’s really exciting - the character of Hedy is so interesting and challenging to play. Without giving too much away to anyone who hasn’t seen the film, the character is very complex, and from an acting point of view, it gives me an opportunity to explore so many different places that you don't necessarily go to normally.”

Updated by author, journalist & broadcaster Rebecca Reid, the stage version of Single White Female has a focus on social media and explores themes of ambition, identity and isolation. 

“There obviously wasn't social media back in the 90s,” says Kym. “But if you know the essence of the plot and what it's about, it works very well... 

“I think the world of social media is a wonderful place, but it's also to be handled with care, because there is always that element of danger about it. And when you have a character like Hedy, and then you put social media into her hands, it can be tricky to the point of dangerous.”

Will fans of the original still recognise the film they know and love - and will they be treated to the iconic stiletto moment?

“The essence is very much still the same. But the story is slightly changed. As well as being more up to date, it's based in the UK rather than being in America... 

“So there are differences, but the big, important, epic moments are still in there. And it’s very much still a thriller with a real shock factor - we want to have people on the edge of their seats. I think people will very much love the story, whether they've seen the film or not. As for the iconic stiletto moment - you’ll have to wait and see!” 

Kym says that being in several stage productions recently, including Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party, has given her a real love of live theatre. She also continues to relish her television career. 

“I’m so lucky that I’m able to enjoy both -  being in front of the camera and also being on stage. Obviously, on stage you get an instant kind of reaction, which is very rewarding; you know immediately how much people are enjoying what you’re doing. Television can be very different from that. There’s a real buzz being on stage; you get that atmosphere straight away. And I really like travelling around, seeing different places and some beautiful theatres. It’s interesting that everywhere you go, the audience reacts differently to different parts [of the show]. Then again, in front of a camera, you always get to go again!”

So does she get nervous?

“Of course I do! Theatre is way more nerve-wracking, that’s for sure. My dad passed away last year, and I’ve found myself standing in the wings before I go on stage saying, “Come on Dad, come on Dad,” because you want to feel that someone is helping you out when you’re out there. You really hope that nothing’s going to go wrong, that you give a great performance and people enjoy it.”

Mother-of-three Kym hasn’t stopped working since she auditioned for TV show Popstars 25 years ago, joining the band Hear’Say. She says she’s grateful that she has such a warm reception from the British public. 

“I feel very fortunate and very lucky that I've been allowed to have the career that I've had, and to have been received in the way that I have. I think maybe it's because I come across as a sincere individual. I've never tried to hide anything. I make mistakes and hold my hands up, and I think that gives me a ‘girl next door’ feel - perhaps everyone knows someone a bit like me. 

“I was brought up by a family who are very caring and open. My family means everything to me. I absolutely adore my kids and my grandchildren. I think I try to only ever be caring and open, too, when I'm being interviewed or meeting new people, because, to be honest, I don't know how to be anything else!”
There are many places on the Single White Female tour that Kym is excited to visit - but the very last night ‘on the road’ will be particularly memorable for her: “We will be in Malvern, and it’s my 50th birthday. I’m not sure exactly what we’ll be doing that night after the final show, but I do know Malvern won’t be quite as peaceful as it usually is!”

Single White Female shows at The Alexandra, Birmingham, from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 May, the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 May, and Malvern’s Festival Theatre from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 June.

By Anne Shoote​r