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All's fair for West End star Louise
STAGE of stage, TV and film Louise Engklish will soon star as the mysterious gypsy fortune-teller Rosa in new smash-hit musical All The Fun Of The Fair, at Sunderland Empire.
We caught up with her, and found out why she's delighted to be roaming the North East again.
And, unusually for a successful West End leading lady, Louise English is not a 'diva' in the least.
Despite that, she arrives at the fashionable restaurant for our interview looking just as glamorous as any of the legendary actresses that Hollywood has ever put on the silver screen.
Currently starring as Rosa, an attractive Irish clairvoyant, in All The Fun Of The Fair, with David Essex, Louise is thrilled to be returning to the Sunderland Empire.
"I've performed here quite often and I love it, especially because the people are so kind and welcoming and they have a great sense of humour," she said.
"Also, North East England has some beautiful theatres and the Sunderland Empire is absolutely stunning since its refurbishment. So, with the combination of a beautiful theatre and great audiences, how could anyone not love working here?"
All The Fun Of The Fair is a new musical with a contemporary story and a heartbreaking twist that showcases the hits of David Essex.
"It's all done very cleverly," explains Louise. "There is a reason for each song to be there and they are all used well."
While the ladies in the audience may be swooning over Essex, many of their fellas will recognise Louise from her days as one of the original 'Hill's Angels' from The Benny Hill Show.
Louise remembers that time with great affection.
"When I first worked with Benny, he didn't have the 'Hill's Angels'. He was looking for five or six girls who could sing, dance and act in comedy sketches," she said.
"I was given a line in a sketch, then a sketch was written for me, and after that I became his leading lady."
Louise began her showbiz career at an early age when, while at the Stella Mann School of Ballet, she appeared in the classic children's film Bugsy Malone.
"I was so thrilled to be chosen, but my ballet school didn't really approve very much – it wasn't encouraged.
"I was on a private scholarship, awarded to me by the headmistress, so it must have come as a bit of a shock to her when I said I was going to leave to be an actress."
She attended the famous Anna Scher Theatre School and turned down the opportunity to train at the Royal Ballet School.
At 16, Louise was offered a contract with the dance troupe Pan's People and spent a year performing for television, theatre, cabaret and corporate events.
She then formed her own group, Patches, which enjoyed success in London's nightclubs.
A stint in repertory theatre followed and Louise appeared in several feature films before carving herself a hugely successful career in musical theatre.
She has garnered critical acclaim for her performances as Nancy in Oliver!, Grace Farrell in Annie, Sally Smith in Me & My Girl and Rose in Gypsy.
Her success continues with her current role in All The Fun Of The Fair, for which she has been receiving rave reviews.
"It's very rewarding to see the audience standing on their feet at the end and then to read these five-star reviews," says Louise.
"It is hard work touring and travelling round the country but the audience response is wonderful, which makes it all worthwhile."
Louise's character, Rosa, is a gypsy fortune-teller who is in love with Levi, played by Essex.
"She's a very tough woman and she's had a hard life, but she's sexy and voluptuous, too.
"She knows what she wants and she doesn't get messed around by people, she's nobody's fool," says Louise.
Although Louise has played opposite many accomplished and handsome actors on stage, including Essex, Darren Day and Karl Howman, she hasn't yet found the male lead in her personal life.
"I thought I'd found Mr Right when I married, but I ended up getting divorced," she said.
"It would be lovely to meet the love of my life but, at the moment, my career takes up most of my time."
Louise has already decided how she'll spend her free time in Sunderland.
"I adore the countryside and coastline here so I am looking forward to taking a walk in Seaburn before enjoying a meal in The Marsden Grotto.
"Then, of course, I love shopping so I'll probably end up visiting The Bridges for some retail therapy too."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
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