12:07pm Friday 12th June 2009
By Lorelei Reddin
Tell us a bit about Grumpy Old Women Live 2 in your own words?“
“It’s a charge of moans, grumpy moans. We put the world to rights, we get grumpy with our own Olympics and we come up with our own penny pinching ideas for these dreadful times we’re currently living in. We’ve also got a new grumpy hero and that’s Margaret Mountford from The Apprentice. She just has the best grumpy facial expressions! The show is just two hours of fun really.”
How has it been working with Jenny (Éclair) and Susie (Blake)?
“It’s been really good fun, they’re lovely to work with. It’s been great to work with Susie again after we did a few months together on Corrie (Susie played Beverley Unwin in the soap). She’s in the car with me – can you hear her heckling?! And it’s also brilliant to be back with (comic) Jenny. I did the Vagina Monologues with her earlier this year and she’s really really nice.”
Your Coronation Street character Cilla Battersby was really comical and your stage shows since have tended to be funny. Is comedy acting your preference?
“I love all kinds, but comedy acting is great fun. It’s a great release and brilliant to hopefully make people laugh. As well as this and Vagina Monologues, I’ve also done a one woman show in Ireland so I’ve had a really good run on the stage this year. It’s nice to get back to that.”
“I don’t think you can ever make a conscious decision in this business, I just see what work comes along and whether I want to do it. I did turn down a couple of things for TV though as they were just too similar to Corrie. I’m very conscious about that. I love the audience in live theatre and I’ve also tried to do some other things away from acting. I’ve done cookery programmes and things just to try and move away from Cilla.”
Would you ever go back to the Street?
“I don’t know. She’s not dead is she, so never say never. But not at the moment. I’m having a great time doing different things.”
Do you still watch the show?
“No, I don’t watch it regularly, although I catch up when I can normally on a Sunday for the omnibus. I saw it the other week and Chesney was being bullied. I thought what a nerve, they didn’t even bother to tell his mum! I catch it when I can.”
What makes you grumpy?
“Lots of things make me grumpy! It’s only since I’ve started doing this that I’ve realised that, I had thought I was easy going! But everything that’s mentioned riles me! I don’t think I’m a very tolerant person unfortunately, it’s one of my worst traits. I wish I could have a bit more patience, but anything can annoy me if it doesn’t happen as it should.”
Describe a perfect day for you?
“Spending some time at home having family days. I had a weekend off a few weeks ago and we went to the Hertfordshire Show near where we live. I like to take the family out and do normal things for the day. Going out, walking the dogs, things most people wouldn’t even think about are really great for me as I don’t get much time at home.”
Wendi stars in Grumpy Old Women Live 2: Chin Up Britain which comes to Theatre Royal Winchester on Monday and
Tuesday.
Tickets: 01962 840440 or visit theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk.
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