We interview the delightful
Susie Amy
starring in
Ray Cooney's
Out of Order
coming to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
10th July to 15th July 2017
Susie Amy
starring in
Ray Cooney's
Out of Order
coming to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
10th July to 15th July 2017
Susie Amy is probably best known for her role as Chardonnay Lane-Pascoe in the ITV series Footballers' Wives. She has also appeared in films Modigliani, La Femme Musketeer and House of 9. Her career, however, began in theatre and this July she will be coming to Southend's Palace Theatre with the rest of the stellar cast of Ray Cooney's updated version of Out of Order, one of the playwright's most classic farces.
Susie spoke to us at the Press Launch Day for Out of Order back in February where she told us how much she’s looking forward to appearing with such a great cast. The play is now on the final leg of the UK tour, coming to Southend’s Palace Theatre from the 10th July to 15th July.
Did you have to audition for the part?
I was asked to go in and read for Ray (Cooney) and Tom O'Connell last year. I was doing a play called Rehearsal for Murder, a murder mystery and we were in Torquay with it at the time and, as I was so busy with that, in the end I just thought we should just put it on tape. So I filmed it with one of my fellow actors and sent it in and the next day they offered me the part!
Oh wow! That was quick! Have you done farce before?
Never!
So this is going to be a whole new experience then?
That’s right. I think the main thing is to play a farce for real no matter how absurd the situation. If it means nothing to the character you’re playing, it means nothing to the audience; so as exaggerated as the performance has to be, to a degree it still has to be truthful.
I think a lot of people won’t realise just how much experience you have had in theatre?
I started in theatre originally, so television was kind of new to me when I started that. And to be honest - with my work - I do whatever comes along that seems appealing; whether it’s tv, film or theatre - I love all of them in different ways.
The part of Miss Worthington involves you doing quite a lot of running around in your underwear, doesn’t it?
For the first 25 pages or so, yes.
Susie spoke to us at the Press Launch Day for Out of Order back in February where she told us how much she’s looking forward to appearing with such a great cast. The play is now on the final leg of the UK tour, coming to Southend’s Palace Theatre from the 10th July to 15th July.
Did you have to audition for the part?
I was asked to go in and read for Ray (Cooney) and Tom O'Connell last year. I was doing a play called Rehearsal for Murder, a murder mystery and we were in Torquay with it at the time and, as I was so busy with that, in the end I just thought we should just put it on tape. So I filmed it with one of my fellow actors and sent it in and the next day they offered me the part!
Oh wow! That was quick! Have you done farce before?
Never!
So this is going to be a whole new experience then?
That’s right. I think the main thing is to play a farce for real no matter how absurd the situation. If it means nothing to the character you’re playing, it means nothing to the audience; so as exaggerated as the performance has to be, to a degree it still has to be truthful.
I think a lot of people won’t realise just how much experience you have had in theatre?
I started in theatre originally, so television was kind of new to me when I started that. And to be honest - with my work - I do whatever comes along that seems appealing; whether it’s tv, film or theatre - I love all of them in different ways.
The part of Miss Worthington involves you doing quite a lot of running around in your underwear, doesn’t it?
For the first 25 pages or so, yes.
Shaun Williamson and Susie Amy
You clearly have an amazing figure, can you tell us how you keep yourself so trim?
Since I got back from my holiday in Miami in January I’ve been eating well. I sort of had it in mind to maybe try to lose a few pounds, which is easy for me because I eat so much, so when I just eat normally my weight just kind of balances out. But you know, it’s not perfect but I’m not too worried about that kind of thing on stage. It’s important for the part, she’s not meant to be a super model so there’s been no pressure on me to look a certain way by the producers, so I’m quite relaxed about it.
As the play is set in and around politics and politicians, have you had to do any political type of research for the play?
I’m a regular on The Wright Stuff so I’m pretty up to speed with politics - it’s not my strongest subject, I have to admit, but I like to keep up to date with current affairs.
Is there anyone that you think that your character may be based on?
Do you know this play was written such a long time ago, I’d be very interested to hear from Ray if he has based the characters on anyone.
Ray’s updated the play though, hasn’t he?
It’s all been updated. The original script that I read was the older version. I love all the changes. I love that Miss Worthington is Mr Corbyn’s secretary. Absolutely brilliant! And I think that politics right now is such a current thing and everybody’s talking about politics. People who would even be bored of politics, right now are interested in politics. So it’s quite a nice time to be doing a play like this. Even some of my girlfriends, who really aren’t interested in politics right now would be more politically minded than usual.
Since I got back from my holiday in Miami in January I’ve been eating well. I sort of had it in mind to maybe try to lose a few pounds, which is easy for me because I eat so much, so when I just eat normally my weight just kind of balances out. But you know, it’s not perfect but I’m not too worried about that kind of thing on stage. It’s important for the part, she’s not meant to be a super model so there’s been no pressure on me to look a certain way by the producers, so I’m quite relaxed about it.
As the play is set in and around politics and politicians, have you had to do any political type of research for the play?
I’m a regular on The Wright Stuff so I’m pretty up to speed with politics - it’s not my strongest subject, I have to admit, but I like to keep up to date with current affairs.
Is there anyone that you think that your character may be based on?
Do you know this play was written such a long time ago, I’d be very interested to hear from Ray if he has based the characters on anyone.
Ray’s updated the play though, hasn’t he?
It’s all been updated. The original script that I read was the older version. I love all the changes. I love that Miss Worthington is Mr Corbyn’s secretary. Absolutely brilliant! And I think that politics right now is such a current thing and everybody’s talking about politics. People who would even be bored of politics, right now are interested in politics. So it’s quite a nice time to be doing a play like this. Even some of my girlfriends, who really aren’t interested in politics right now would be more politically minded than usual.
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How about the touring side of things? How will that be for you?
I did it last year. I’ve toured quite a bit. It’s fine. I love the cities that we travel to. It’s obviously hard being away from friends and family for extensive lengths of time but it flies by. It’s amazing how quickly it goes. We’ll be in Southend before we know it in July. Southend’s the penultimate venue - so we hope you won’t be too worn out by then? No! That’s when everyone’s really enjoying it because they don’t want it to end. Had you met any of the other cast members before? No, we only met briefly for the photo-shoot before today. But I’ve had people say to me that Shaun’s (Williamson) a lovely person and Sue (Holderness) I know will be lovely and an absolute pleasure to work with. So, I’ve been looking forward to it, although I’m always a bit nervous before I start rehearsals. Really? It’s just the initial walking in - when you don’t know anyone and you know that you’re going to be with them for months. So yeah, I always have a bit of a sleepless night the night before. |
Susie with Jeffrey Harmer
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I’m sure you’ll be like one big happy family by the end of it though, won’t you?
You end up spending almost every day with each other so there's usually a nice spirit within a company - hopefully!
Interview: Kim Tobin
You end up spending almost every day with each other so there's usually a nice spirit within a company - hopefully!
Interview: Kim Tobin
For tickets to see Out of Order go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
For more info on Out of Order click here
Interview with Shaun Williamson here
Interview with Sue Holderness here
Interview with Shaun Williamson here
Interview with Sue Holderness here