Former Coronation Street favourite Catherine Tyldesley is to make her musical theatre debut when she stars in the award-winning musical Bonnie & Clyde, which comes to Norwich Theatre Royal between 12 – 16 Mar. We spoke to her about the new role, life on the street and dancing on Strictly!
Are you excited to be a part of this hit show?
I couldn’t be more excited! Me and my husband [Tom Pitfield] got one verse in, and he looked at me and went, ‘Oh my God, you have to do this show’. I fell in love with it, and I knew that this was the one musical I had to do. I’ve been extremely lucky with film and television, but I’ve waited a long time for this.
You are playing Clyde’s sister-in-law, Blanche, who reluctantly became part of the bank-robbing Barrow Gang. What is she like?
She’s a powerhouse. She wears the trousers in the relationship between herself and Buck. They are deeply in love and she would do anything for him, but she’s very devout in her faith and she wants him to be on the right path in life.
Describe the show for us.
You’ve got great music, adventure, and the gangster element, but it also delves into the love story to see the chemistry between Bonnie and Clyde, as well as between Blanche and Buck. It’s got that adrenaline-junkie feel, but at the same time, it’s really going to pull on your heartstrings. And it’s got great comedy in there, too. Part of the reason that I was drawn to Blanche is because her one-liners are just brilliant.
You are best known for playing Eva Price in Coronation Street. What was it like to be on the iconic street?
It was amazing. I’d watched Corrie since I was a little girl and my family were obsessed with it. It really was a dream job but I felt I left at the right time because I wanted to explore other things and to develop as an actor and as a person.
We can’t not mention you dancing with Johannes Radebe on Strictly.
Strictly gave me dancing confidence and that came from Johannes, who is a special soul. I was like ‘I’m too tall to dance and I look a bit gangly’ and he told me ‘You’ve just got to go out there and own it’.
You went on the Strictly Live tour. What was that like?
That was probably my favourite bit, actually, because the pressure was off, and we got so good because we were doing the same dances every night. We were so polished by the end of it, and I was like, ‘I wish we were this good on the telly show!
Are you looking forward to heading out on tour again?
It’s super exciting, and we’re going to all these iconic theatres in all these beautiful towns and cities.” She smiles. “It’s going to be quite the adventure.
Bonnie & Clyde the Musical is at Norwich Theatre Royal between 12 – 16 Mar. For more information or to book, click below or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
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