Beautiful new role for Charlie Brooks

Charlie Brooks, best known for her role as Janine Butcher on the BBC soap opera, appears as Sandra in the play Beautiful Thing.

It is the 20th anniversary of the acclaimed production written by the scribe of sitcoms Gimme Gimme Gimme and Beautiful People, Jonathan Harvey. Set during a heat wave on a rundown council estate, the story follows Jamie, a troubled teen whose dislike of football is reason enough for his classmates to bully him at every opportunity.

Living with his single mum Sandra, he finds himself infatuated with his next door neighbour and classmate, Ste.

Ste, who is living with his alcoholic father in the flat next door, is one night beaten so badly that Sandra takes pity and lets him sleep over.

Charlie said: “I loved the film based on the television show when it was released.

“I have a lot of gay friends and it was very important growing up for them.

“I also really liked the original play.

“I love the role of Sandra that I play – she is very feisty and strong but she has got a big heart and is fantastically warm. It is a great character to play.”

The show has been touring for a little while and she has been pleased with how it has been going.

Charlie added: “We have had some great audiences and they have been really enjoying it.

“I hope it continues at Northampton.

“It is a show which will make people laugh and it is a wonderful evening of entertainment.

“There are a lot of theatre shows which make me fall asleep but this is definitely not one of them.”

Charlie won numerous awards for her role in EastEnders and has already returned to the soap.

She said: “I had a really good time and had a lot of fond memories playing the part.

“I had a wonderful time on the show.

“I have no plans to return at the moment but it is not something that I would rule out in the future.

“I am currently in talks for some more theatre work when the tour finishes at the end of July but it is a little too early to have something else secured yet. Hopefully in a month’s time there will be a few more things signed.”

Fellow EastEnders actor Thomas Law, Sam Jackson from Channel Four drama Skins and Gerard McCarthy from Hollyoaks also star in the show.

The show can be seen at Northampton from Monday, May 18, to Saturday, May 23.

Tickets for the show cost between£16 and £30.50.

They can be booked by calling the box office on 01604 624811 or by visiting www.royalandderngate.co.uk.