Ask: Natalie Casey

Mar 2 2008 Sunday Sun

COMEDY actress Natalie Casey is best known for her roles in teen soap Hollyoaks and BBC2 hit sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.

The 27-year-old was born in Lancashire and followed in the footsteps of her older sister who is also an actress.

Apart from acting, Natalie has also presented 100 Greatest Musicals, Access All Areas and Big Brother’s Little Brother.

She is also comfortable on stage, appearing in The Vagina Monologues and Hobson’s Choice, and has also starred in musical theatre, making her West End debut in Fame.

Natalie will be appearing alongside Jonathan Wilkes in the first-ever UK tour of the hit Broadway musical, The Wedding Singer, at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, from Monday, March 10, to Saturday, March 15.

Tickets cost £7.50 to £25, and can be bought by calling 0844-811 2121, or online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

HOW did you become an actor?

I didn’t go to drama school like a lot of people do. I went to a regular school but attended drama workshops when I was young and did some adverts.

When I was 15, I managed to get the role in Hollyoaks and I developed as an actor from there. I did it for three years and really learned how to deal with the craft of television making.

Having spoken to people who did go to drama school, I wish I had gone because most actors I’ve met have the best stories about all the crazy stuff they got up to.

WHY did you want to become an actor?

I wasn’t very academic at school. In fact, I was crap. I am terrible at maths and spelling. I have always just had a talent at pretending to be someone else rather than being myself. The town I grew up in is a small mill town, where not many people having acting ambitions.

WHAT has been your favourite acting role?

I loved working on Fame. It’s the best job I’ve ever done. I know the film well and really fit into the musical theatre crowd. I’d love to appear in Hairspray as the best friend.

Anita in West Side Story would be a dream but I don’t have the skills yet. Maybe if I lost some weight I could play the character . . . but I’m quite fond of pies.

DOES having an older sister working in the same industry cause any problems?

Anna-Jane is eight years older than me, so she’s got a lot more experience and street cred. It’s nice having someone close who can help me, and there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of healthy rivalry.

IF you hadn’t become an actress, what would you have done for a living?

I enjoy cooking, so perhaps I would have been a chef. Failing that, I like the idea of being a criminal psychologist. I know that’s two different ends of the spectrum but I have always been interested in the workings of the human mind.

WHAT’S the best piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to make it in showbusiness?

Always be nice to people and be professional. As an actor, you’re paid to be there on time and to know what you are doing. If either of those things don’t happen, you should be fired.