Page 36 - Phonebox Magazine July 2014

The Buzz
Atrip to the theatre usually means escaping the typical English showers, but not for Singin’ In The Rain ticket holders. A feat of modern theatre, the musical sees a torrential downpour arrive on stage. And
with an all-singing all-dancing cast, Emmerdale and Coronation Street actress Vicky Binns wasn’t sure she would make the cut. “When I heard about the role I thought but I will be doing musical theatre?” laughs the actress, speaking to Phonebox from Norwich in the middle of the musical’s UK tour, “but it’s fun to see the audience enjoying the rain in the show.”
Making her musical debut with the production, she’s playing the shallow and rude Lina Lamont (pictured in character below), as Vicky adds: “Lina sings, but she sings really badly. She’s completely talentless and I thought maybe I could do it then! I saw the musical before I went for the audition and I had so much fun. I just had to get a part in it, even if it was a small one.” Based on the infamous MGM film starring Gene Kelly, Singin’ In The Rain (pictured above) is touring the country until October, stopping off at the MK Theatre from July 1-12 . It follows Don Lockwood, a silent film star and dancer, who tolerates his leading lady (Lina) but soon falls for chorus girl Kathy Selden.
“It’s a comedy really,” Vicky explains, “and as a young female actress I don’t normally get to play the person who causes trouble, but I love doing it. You never get bored because there’s so much to play with.”
The 31-year-old joined the cast in April, and is still getting to grips with the well-known role. She adds: ““It’s been brilliant for me and it’s such a big change doing musical theatre. I’ve only done straight plays or TV in the past. The production itself came directly
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from the West End and it’s impressive. I’m loving it.”
When we speak, Milton Keynes is new territory for the Manchester- based actress: “I go through it on the train to London, but I’ve never been there myself. I love experiencing different places that you don’t see otherwise, so I’m looking forward to it.”
And having spent years behind the camera on soaps means the stage is still an exciting place for Vicky to be.
She adds: “It’s very different to being on TV. It’s challenging doing eight shows a week and I’m still working on it, but I’m loving every second.”
Tickets: £15 to £47.50 on (0844) 871 7652 or go to atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre.
World famous artists arrive for summer shows
Summer means outside live music, and lots of it. With 36 Top 40 Hits and having sold more than 100 million records, Sir Tom Jones is going to perform a one-off show in Northampton on July 9 at the County Cricket Ground. The following week, Roadmender will play host to Game of Thrones actor Finn Jones (Ser Loras Tyrell) with his DJ set, as presented by Propaganda, on July 18. On July 22, the venue will welcome Black Star Riders, a band formed from the ashes of Thin Lizzy.
Fans of grunge rock will be in for a treat in Milton Keynes too, as American heavy weights and festival favourites Pearl Jam perform on July 11, with support from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Just 24 hours later the site will become a haven for dance and club lovers, as the Electric Daisy Carnival pays a visit to the Buckinghamshire town. Headliners include the biggest names in dance, Avicii and Calvin Harris (pictured in the middle).
One of the world’s best known ska punk bands, Reel Big Fish, will perform at The Crauford Arms, Wolverton, on July 7, while Soul Fly and Hotelbooks will make an appearance at the music venue on July 7 and 12 respectively. Throughout July, The Stables is bursting with live music, with Kenny Thomas performing on the 19th, The Feeling on July 23rd and Seth Lakeman on 25th (see our interview with him and the Milton Keynes International Festival this issue).