CHARITY: Actress Julia Munrow spent time in a charity shop as part of her research into a character in a forthcoming production.

The performer, pictured, appearing in The Humble Boy at Newcastle's New Vic Theatre next month, spent timelast week at The Douglas Macmillan Hospice shop in Newcastle.

She said: "My character works in a charity shop and the clothes from there are an important part of the play.

"I've been impressed with how much time and energy people put in and there is a really nice, social atmosphere."

Shop manager Mary Taylor, who has worked in the shop for 13 years, said: "I've taken Julia through the whole process from when the clothes are brought in, taken upstairs to be steamed and then brought back down."

The Humble Boy is at the New Vic from Thursday, April 1 to Saturday, April 17. For tickets call, 01782 717962.

Picture: Shaun Smith