Roxanne Pallett On…Satin ‘n’ Steel
Roxanne Pallett is perhaps best know for playing Jo Stiles in the hit Soap, Emmerdale. But since leaving the serial drama, she has forged a career on stage, appearing in The Vagina Monologues alongside ex Coronation Street actress Nikki Sanderson and Sue Jenkins. Roxanne is currently rehearsing at the Oldham Coliseum where she is set to star in Satin ‘n’ Steel – a two hander written by Amanda Whittington. We caught up with her during rehearsals.
Can you tell us a bit about the play and your character?
Satin ‘n’ Steel is a two-hander play about the relationship between Tina and Vince and their journey together as a couple on the pub/club circuit. I play Tina Satin, a girl from Oldham with dreams of being a singer. She’s from a humble background, working in a factory, living with her mum, but with secret stars in her eyes of a singing career. She lacks confidence on and off stage to begin but things change once she meets Vince.
What’s the most challenging aspect of the play for you?
As the play is dependent on only two characters, the depth of dialogue is probably the biggest challenge, we carry the entire story from start to end.
What attracted you to the production?
The story was so endearing, I felt like I was reading a diary of a girl from back home that I could’ve known or been. The script drew me in and I wanted to know what would happen, why and how. Before I even knew about the singing element, I’d read for the part and an hour later got a call to say I’d got it!
How are rehearsals going so far?
They are really intensive, 9 hours a day 5 days a week and with music, choreography and vocals to rehearse too, it’s very full on, but a great process!
You were in The Vagina Monologues recently. How was that?
The Vagina Monologues was a refreshing piece of theatre for me. The comedic element, the audience interaction and the variety of roles within the monologues, all kept me on my feet and I felt I really learnt the craft of live theatre in this play. There were nights where audiences reactions would cause raucous and we’d have to ad lib or cater the script to them. It was an incredible experience. Eve Ensler’s work is every actresses dream. To perform such intimate stories and experiences in the shoes of these women was very powerful.
How does performing on stage differ from TV and do you prefer one over the other?
I’ve spent 4 years in TV and the last year on stage so I feel very fortunate to be playing roles in both fields. It’s about the character and material for me rather than if it’s on stage or screen. I love both.
What are you looking forward to the most about starring in Satin ‘n’ Steel?
I love two-handers for the very reason of chemistry and connection. You have a parallel soul to gain reaction from. I’m looking forward to having that motivation and taking the relationship of the two characters from the page to the stage. I’m also looking forward to playing a character who I can take on a journey
from girl to woman over seven years and the changes she goes through. I
love nothing more than un-wrapping a character for an audience and Tina
is a role which has many levels over a period of time in her life.
What are your plans following the play?
As the play opens, I’m also filming a Saturday night music show for ITV called Sing If You Can, aired end of April, so I currently have about 16 songs and routines whirling around in my head right now with both projects!
Roxanne Pallett was speaking to Glenn Meads
Satin ‘n’ Steel runs from 14 April – 7 May 2011 at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre. Tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 0161 624 2829 or online here.
