Single White Female

TV Star Kym Marsh Leads the Electrifying Stage Rebirth of the Cult 90s Thriller That Shocked a Generation!

Single White Female – the world premiere adaptation of the iconic psychological hit – arrives at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 February next year, starring the sensational Kym Marsh in a role that’s equal parts chilling, complex, and utterly unforgettable. John Lutz’s darkly disturbing novel was also famously adapted by Columbia Pictures into the smashhit 1992 movie Single White Female, starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh as roommates whose friendship takes a terrifying turn, a film that led a generation of audiences to fear stiletto heels.

“This is my villain era,” says Kym Marsh, with a laugh so warm it is hard to imagine the multi-talented actress with her friendly, likeable persona, being remotely villainous. Yet, in her latest role, as Hedy, in the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic Nineties’ psychological thriller Single White Female, audiences are in for a surprise and are going to be unsure whether she’s friend or foe. The play tells the story of recently divorced mum Allie, who is trying to juggle childcare with starting a new business. When she advertises for a lodger to help make ends meet, along comes the seemingly delightful Hedy, but quickly we see that all is not as it seems, and their new friendship takes a sinister turn.

So, does portraying someone who appears lovely but might have a darker side come hard to Kym, who was one of the most popular characters, Michelle Connor, in Coronation Street for 13 years, has won a multitude of acting awards and, amongst other things, has starred in Waterloo Road, Strictly Come Dancing and presented BBC One’s Morning Live?

“Actually, the last few roles I have done have been pretty villainous, and I love it,” she says. “It’s so easy to play the typical moustache twiddler. But I want to make Hedy a little bit more layered and actually have people be a bit taken aback, unsure if she’s good or bad right up to the last minute, and even feeling sorry for her, particularly near the end. So, it is a bit more complex and nuanced than you might imagine.

“The character is very complex and, from an acting point of view, it gives me an opportunity to explore so many different places that you don’t necessarily really go to normally.”

In this reimagined version by journalist and author Rebecca Reid, the story takes on a darkly modern resonance – where identity and imitation are amplified by the world of social media.

“There obviously wasn’t social media back in the 90s,” she Kym. “But if you know the essence of the plot and what it’s about, it works very well because we see people trying to imitate people’s lives online all the time.

“I think the world of social media is a wonderful place, but it’s also to be handled with care, because there is always that element of danger about it. And when you have a character like Hedy, and then you put social media into her hands, it can be tricky to the point of dangerous.”

Will fans of the original still recognise the film they know and love—and will they be treated to the iconic stiletto moment? Kym laughs. “The essence is very much still the same. But the story is slightly changed—as well as being more up-to-date, it’s set in the UK rather than America. So, there are differences, but the big, important, epic moments are still in there. And it’s very much still a thriller with a real shock factor – we want to have people on the edge of their seats. I think people will still very much love the story whether they’ve seen the film or not. As for the iconic stiletto moment – you’ll have to wait and see!”

For Kym, Single White Female continues a rich vein of theatrical work that includes Abigail’s Party and Fatal Attraction, deepening her passion for live performance.

“I’m so lucky that I am able to enjoy both being in front of the camera and also being on stage,” she says. “Obviously, on stage you get an instant kind of reaction which is very rewarding – you know immediately how much people are enjoying what you’re doing when you are on stage.

“I feel very fortunate and very lucky that I’ve been allowed to have the career that I’ve had.”

Television can be very different from that. But there is a real buzz being on stage, you get that atmosphere straight away. And I really like travelling around, seeing different places and some beautiful theatres. It’s interesting that everywhere you go, the audience reacts differently to different parts. Then again, in front of a camera you always get to go again!”

So even now, she gets nervous?

“Of course I do!” she admits. “Theatre is way more nerve-racking, that’s for sure. My dad passed away last year, and I have found myself standing in the wings before I go on stage, saying, ‘Come on, Dad, come on, Dad.’ Because you want to feel that someone is helping you out when you are out there, you really hope that nothing’s going to go wrong, that you give a great performance, and people enjoy it.”

Aged 49, Kym has not stopped working since she auditioned for the TV show Popstars 25 years ago, joining the band Hear’Say. She says she is grateful for the warm reception she has received from the British public.

“I feel very fortunate and very lucky that I’ve been allowed to have the career that I’ve had and to have been received in the way that I have,” says the mother-of-three, who is also a grandma. “I think maybe it’s because I come across as a sincere individual. I’ve never tried to hide anything. I make mistakes and hold my hands up, and I think that gives me a girl-nextdoor feel—perhaps everyone knows someone a bit like me.

“I was brought up by a family who are very caring and open. My family means everything to me. I absolutely adore my kids and my grandchildren. I think I try to only ever be caring and open, too, when I’m being interviewed or meeting new people, because, to be honest, I don’t know how to be anything else!”

There are many places on the Single White Female tour that Kym is excited to visit. But it’s the North West venues that make this tour feel special.

“We will be in Malvern and it’s my 50th birthday… but I’m so excited for Manchester, Liverpool and of course Blackpool.” Says Kym. “I can’t wait to bring this incredible show home.”

Tickets from £15. Call the Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for bookings.

NorthernLife Dec/Jan/Feb 26