Best known as the “Walford Witch” Janine Butcher, bringing drama to EastEnders, Charlie Brooks is looking ahead to her latest role on tour with the iconic play Beautiful Thing.
The Albert Square troublemaker was a memorable character, but now you’ll see Charlie in a wholly-different incarnation.
The play follows two young men, Jamie and Ste, and their blossoming romance in an inner city housing estate.
Together, the two boys find comedy, warmth and the music of Mama Cass through their loud-mouthed next-door neighbour, Leah.
Charlie plays Sandra, Jamie’s mum and the local barmaid.
“I was obsessed with the film when I was a kid,” reveals Charlie. “I watched it, like, 100 times. I was one of the cult followers, really.
“I remember seeing Suranne (Jones) in the play last year and going: ‘Ooh, I want to do that, put me in it!’
“Lo and behold, a year or two later, here I am, so it’s like a dream come true.”
It’s hard for bubbly Charlie to pinpoint exactly why the iconic play resonates with her.
“Just the content of the story,” she starts.
“I went to theatre school where I had lots of gay friends I even had one boyfriend who was gay!” she laughs.
“So it’s always been important, the performances in the film were just amazing and it’s a great character for me. It’s a big draw all round, really.”
And Beautiful Thing still endures to this day, despite being more than 20 years old.
“There are still, especially in the regional areas where we’re touring, people going through this same issue and terrified of coming out,” says Charlie.
“They’re scared of talking about it, so I think it’s a timeless play. It’s brilliant, funny, sad, and I think that it speaks to a lot of people still.”
We suggest that the role of strong young mum Sandra seems a happy fit for Charlie: “Are you saying I’m a feisty single mum?” the actress laughs.
“What I’m hoping to do is to bring a great deal of warmth to it, do you know what I mean?
“She’s feisty, she’s loud, she’s not afraid to speak her mind, she’s had a hard life and fought to be where she is to bring up that little boy, so the relationship they have is one that’s very special in the end.
“I have some of the best lines I just can’t wait to say them.”
Calling this “completely different” from the TV work for which she’s best known, however, Charlie’s feeling the nerves.
“With learning lines in EastEnders, it’s in and out because it’s so fast paced,” she says.
“I haven’t done a great deal of theatre, so this is all quite new, and I’m really nervous. I hope I’m OK. But it’s exciting.”
Charlie Brooks will star as Sandra in Beautiful Thing, touring the UK from March 23, 2015. See www.beautthing.com.
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