Maureen’s in the mood for dancing at Leamington show

Now Maureen, a member of famous former girl group The Nolans, will take the stage in the hit play The Naked Truth at the Spa Centre from Thursday.

The play, written by Dave Simpson who also created the smash-hit comedy Girls Night Out, tells the story of a group of women who struggle to master the art of pole dancing for an event to raise money and awareness for a breast cancer charity.

Maureen said: “It’s very very funny but there’s also some quite sad moments and we’ve had people leaving the theatre saying that they cried, so it’s great from that point of view.”

The issues the play tackles are those which Maureen has experienced in her life away from the stage.

During the play it is revealed that Sarah, the timid mousey character Maureen plays, has breast cancer and is trying to restore confidence in herself. Maureen sisters Anne, Linda and Bernie have all been treated for the disease in the last decade.

Maureen said: “We talked about it first and agreed that it was quite spooky that, at this particular time in my life, I should be offered the opportunity to play such a character.

“But then we laughed and nobody said they’d rather I didn’t do it or anything like that.”

The Naked Truth is not the first production in which Maureen has starred in which revolves around issues which predominantly affect women.

She played Sadie in Girls Behind in 2007 then toured alongside Bernie in Mum’s The Word the following year.

Maureen said: “When I first agreed to take part in The Naked Truth my husband said ‘oh no not another man-bashing thing’, but it’s not, it’s simply human issues being told from a woman’s point of view.

“If you’re a human being you will laugh regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman.”

The show also stars Claire King of Emmerdale fame, former Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton and Olivier Award-winning Hairspray actress Leanne Jones.

Performances run until Saturday with a matinee on that day at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £18.

Call 334418 or visit www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk