Get yourself comfy and join us for the next segment of Stagey Chat!

Hi Kellie, how are you doing today? Thanks so much for chatting to Stage to Page! Would you mind introducing yourself to our readers and telling us how you first got into acting?

Hi. Ok, so I’m Kellie, I’m an actress and writer and mum of 3! I’m currently rehearsing in the lovely Greenwich and the sun is out and as we speak, we’re about to do our second dress rehearsal for Jez Butterworth’s Parlour Song! I started dipping my toe into acting via a little drama club above a laundromat near to where I lived as a kid. I couldn’t wait to leave school and auditioned for the only state funded theatre school - The BRIT school in Croydon where I did my BTEC as well as going to NYT (National Youth Theatre) when I was 15-18. Some of the people I met there are still my best mates today! I’ve been acting (professionally) since I was 16. My first TV role was in BBC/Wall to Wall, a docu-drama about a small pox epidemic and my most recent was in Daddy Issues also for BBC - I play a really fun part! - it’s out the end of the year.

You're set to play Joy in Parlour Song, which opens at Greenwich Theatre on 3rd May. Can you tell us about the story and the character you play?

Yes - we’re in Greenwich for a lovely 3.5 week run throughout May. I absolutely LOVE this play. It’s rarely done, so that makes it feel like it’s ours. It’s a 3 hander and I play the only female character - Joy. She’s a bored housewife looking for excitement, who is partial to a few lies. The play is about friendship, married life, barbecues, blowing up buildings, and delves into the boredom of suburbia in your 40’s.

The production first opened in New York back in 2008. How does it feel to be part of a Jez Butterworth production that's having its first major London revival in years?

It’s not really been done since, which is mad as it’s BRILLIANT. I’ve been a fan of Jez Butterworth’s writing since I saw his play Jerusalem well over a decade ago - it was 3 hours long and I didn’t get bored once… this play is half of that, at 90 mins without an interval and is a real hidden gem. As an actress who has hit 40, a part like Joy is a gift and being in this revival is a bloody dream- the writing, the role, it’s a lovely theatre, and I’m a massive fan of Jeremy and Naveen, who I share the stage with and James (our director) is both talented and chilled.

After your successful ventures in television, how does it feel to be back on stage? Is there a different energy or excitement when performing live compared to the other formats you've worked in?

I’ve always been lucky to come back to the stage after doing a TV stint. It means that I don’t get too rusty or get the fear! It also works well with having a young family - I get my days free to look after my littlest and the evening is mine where I get my culture fix! I played ‘Brooke’ in Noises Off as soon as I finished 9 months of playing Liaison Nurse ‘Sophia’ in Casualty - I had so much fun being silly in that comedy - much needed. And yes of course - you can’t beat the buzz of theatre/comedy - a rare moment of no screens or phones - everyone in the same moment. Bliss.

My blog is called Stage to Page. But if you could turn any book, from page to stage, what would it be and why?

Now, that I’m writing too, I’ve started to look at books that can move onto theatre/screen - so I’m gonna keep that under my hat - so no one nicks it!

And finally, why should people book tickets to Parlour Song?

It’s a bloody bargain - London theatre but not London prices! Our tickets are only £21 to see such a brilliant play and as it’s so short, you’ll be in the pub by 9pm! You get to be entertained, laugh and have a culture fix from 2009 as well as support theatre - which is vital to the community - winner!

You can book tickets to Parlour Song, here.