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Jenny Platt …from Corrie to Venice

September 15, 2008

jenny-platt.jpgJenny Platt was last seen on our TV screens, driving off into the distance with her on and off screen beau, Rupert Hill (Jamie). It was the end for the much-loved Coronation Street bar-maid, Violet Wilson, but just the beginning for the young, Ipswich born actress. Like many actors, free from the gruelling schedules of soapland, Jenny is about to tread the boards.

But instead of running to the bright lights of the West End, Platt is heading somewhere closer to home, Bolton at the Octagon Theatre, in Mark Babych’s first play of the new season, The Merchant Of Venice; William Shakespeare’s classic tale of bigotry, desire and greed which opens on Thursday, 18th September until 11th October.

Jenny’s partner Rupert had a hit at the Octagon recently with Once Upon A Time In Wigan Live! and she hopes to enjoy her Bolton experience as much as he did.

We caught up with Jenny for a chat before she makes the journey from the cobbles of Weatherfield to the canals of Venice.

Place Of Birth
Ipswich

Lives now in
Manchester

When did you first realise that you wanted to act?
When I saw a production of The King and I as a four year old and got jealous of the children on the stage.

What would you have done professionally if you weren’t acting?
I love cooking, so maybe I could have pursued that career path. I’d love to be a scientist, I find the idea of it fascinating but unfortunately my brain isn’t up to the job.

Is there anyone you would still like to meet and why?
Richard Dawkins, I believe is an incredibly important person in the world we are now living. I respect him for his fearlessness.

What do you like about performing on stage, compared with being in a soap opera like Coronation Street?
The rehearsals and the luxury of time.

What attracted you to The Merchant of Venice?
It’s no picnic for a modern audience, dealing with racism, anti-semitism, greed, corruption and violence but all these things are as relevant as ever. Interestingly enough The Merchant of Venice is still extremely funny and romantic. He was a clever bloke that Shakespeare!

What was the last thing you saw on stage that you really enjoyed and why?
Actually it was the Octagon’s last production Once Upon a Time in Wigan – Live! It was fantastic. My boyfriend, Rupert Hill, was in it too so it was particularly special for me. Aside from that I was completely blown away by Brenda Blethyn and the rest of the cast in The Glass Menagerie at the Royal Exchange.

And the first?
The King and I at the Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich.

If you could swap places with one person (living or dead) for a day, who would it be?
I would swap places with one of those people working with the particle collider at Cern at the moment, or maybe with Queen Elizabeth the first.

Favourite books
1984 is my favourite book – I always come back to it.

Favourite after show haunts in Bolton and/or Manchester
I’ve been commuting back to Manchester after rehearsals so I tend to hang around in pubs on Oxford Road.

What can people expect from The Merchant Of Venice?
People can expect a modern twist on an old classic.

Why do think that Shakespeare’s plays stand the test of time?
Because they are fantastic stories first and foremost and they speak a language that feels magical compared to the naturalism we see most of the time these days.

Who has been your favourite co-star and why?
It must be Rupert Hill because he’s the one I’ve chosen to live with.

Are there any roles you would still like to play and why?
Hundreds – because I’m only 28.

What are your plans when the play is over?
Plans are to start doing my Christmas shopping!

Jenny Platt was talking to Glenn Meads

The Merchant Of Venice plays at the Octagon until 11th October and there are more details on their website.

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