Call the Midwife’s Laura Main on upcoming Christmas special and her starring role in Shrek The Musical

SITTING down with all of the family and watching television on Christmas Day remains a strong tradition.

For Laura Main, the experience is now extra special – because she is the star of one of the BBC’s flagship festive programmes.

The actress plays Shelagh Turner in period drama Call The Midwife, which has a prime-time slot on December 25, and she’s looking forward to watching the festive episode with parents Lorna and Robert, older sisters Rona and Julia, and her extended family at home in Aberdeen.

“After the first series we were given a Christmas special, which is a real honour,” smiles 36-year-old Laura.

“It’s not something I take for granted – I know it’s a special moment and it’s great to watch it with my family and see their reaction.

“That’s the wonderful thing about Call The Midwife – it appeals to all ages and generations and everyone can watch it together, so it’s perfect for this time of year when people are watching TV as a family.

“It has certainly put a new aspect on the Christmas Day tradition for our family.”

Laura is working closer to home this Christmas, starring as Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical over the festive period at Edinburgh Playhouse, but regardless of where she is she always tries to spend time with her loved ones at this time of year.

“I usually try to make it home for Christmas, but on the rare occasions when I’ve been away, I still see them.

“I was doing a panto in north Devon and my parents came down – that was quite the trip – and when I did Alice In Wonderland in Stratford-upon-Avon all of the family came down for Christmas week. That was magical.”

What has also been magical is the storyline Laura has been given since Call The Midwife started, when her character was known as Sister Bernadette.

“It’s been more than I could ever have imagined,” she continues.

“To be cast as a nun, then learn she is conflicted, falls in love with a doctor and then last year she thought she couldn’t have kids only to become pregnant, having little baby Teddy – the show constantly changes and evolves.”

Laura says joining the cast of Shrek The Musical is “a dream come true”.

“I saw the film when it came out and loved it, and then I went to see the theatre show in Drury Lane in London.

“I’m a big musical theatre fan and as I watched it I thought it would be nice to have the opportunity to audition one day – and I did. I’m over the moon.

“We’re on tour until January 2019, so I’ll take time off from the show to film Call The Midwife in the summer and then re-join the cast and finish the run.

“It’s a nice feeling as an actor to know what I have on for the next year, and to have variety.” Opening the tour at the Playhouse is a big deal for Laura, as is taking the show to Aberdeen in March.

“There’s a big amateur theatre scene at His Majesty’s.

“I was in the children’s choir for Joseph, a Munchkin in The Wizard Of Oz and then I played Louisa von Trapp in The Sound Of Music. I think that’s where the seeds were sown and I realised I wanted to do this as a career.

“I used to go and see shows at the Playhouse, so it’s great that we’re starting there.

“I’ve never done anything on this scale.

“I’ve also never done anything professional in His Majesty’s. We’re going to be there over my birthday, which is great timing.” Although she will rush home from Edinburgh for Christmas, she’s going to stay in the capital for its famous Hogmanay celebrations.

“It seems like too great an opportunity to miss out on,” she said.

“I knew the city does a great Hogmanay, but I didn’t realise it went so big on Christmas as well.

“I was asked to turn on the Christmas lights a few weeks ago and I think it was the first time I’ve seen it at that time of year. Edinburgh is such a beautiful city but especially just now.

“All my family made it down for the switch-on, which was great, and it’s just made me even more excited about Christmas!”

Shrek, Edinburgh Playhouse, Dec 12-Jan 7