Former soap actress sings praises of comedy drama

KATHERINE Dow Blyton has appeared in a host of different soap operas.

She's walked the cobbles of Coronation Street and graced the village of Emmerdale and now she's coming to Newcastle.

Best known for her portrayal of Sally Hunter in Hollyoaks, she's appearing at the New Vic Theatre in the wartime comedy And A Nightingale Sang.

With last minute rehearsals to get through, the popular Cheshire soap is a distant, yet fond memory.

"I actually haven't watched Hollyoaks since I left five years ago," she admits with a laugh

"I don't really watch any telly when I'm working in the theatre because you work in the evenings."

In her first appearance at the Basford venue, York-based Katherine, aged 45, pictured, is joining forces with EastEnders director Sarah Punshon for the New Vic and Oldham Coliseum Theatre's joint production of C P Taylor's classic play.

She said: "It is a beautifully written play, I read it and couldn't help but enjoy it."

Set in Tyneside, in the home of the Stott family, Katherine says the play is a domestic drama about family life.

She added: "It's about a working class family and it all starts on the day World War Two is declared and goes through the family's trials and tribulations until D-Day.

"There are lots of Second World War songs in it too and there's a bit of dancing.

"It's a very funny play. I'm sure if you're part of a family you will feel many things and recognise things about this family.

"It's very nostalgic. World War Two seems a long time ago, but if you weren't around then it is beautifully written."

In a cast of just seven, Katherine, who juggles her acting career with working as a support worker, plays the mum of the family, Peggy.

Often referred to as 'mam', she's very much involved with the Catholic Church and is, in Katherine's words, "a tad eccentric".

She said: "All the characters kind of have their own stories, they all have their own strong objectives and all have some kind of passion. Peggy's is definitely the church."

No stranger to the stage, Katherine has been involved in the theatre since leaving college in 1986, yet, despite her stage experience and television expertise, she is the first to admit that she still gets stage fright.

She said: "I do get very nervous before I go on stage, more so now I'm older.

"I think you might have a bit more bravado when you're younger, but now I realise what can go wrong on stage.

"Hopefully by the time first night comes we'll all feel very safe with it and do a good show – touch wood."

With several months hard theatre work in front of her, Katherine's immediate future remains on the stage.

Although she loves the immediacy theatre gives, she certainly wouldn't say no to another soap opera role.

"I would love to get into soaps again," she says, "but you have to take the work where it's at.

"And A Nightingale Sang is a combination of a really good play, a smashing group of people and a great theatre company. You can't go wrong."

And A Nightingale Sang is at the New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, from January 29 to February 20. For ticket information call 01782 717962.