Sheridan attends Laurence Olivier Awards

Sheridan attended the Laurence Olivier Awards at Grosvenor House Hotel, London on February 18th 2007. Sheridan is pictured with Patrick Barlow with his award for Best New Comedy and Mike McShane.

 

 

 

 

Sheridan Smith: The Miller's Tale

Martha Jones isn't the only new arrival in the TARDIS this year. As Lucie Miller, Sheridan Smith has recently joined Paul McGann for a series of all-new Doctor Who adventures on BBC7.

Best known for her starring role in the BBC3 sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Smith is currently playing Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at the Chocolate Factory theatre in London. Paul Simpson spoke to her backstage, ahead of a transfer to the West End next month.

Do you enjoy sci fi, or is it just coincidence that you're in both Doctor Who and Little Shop of Horrors right now?
It is coincidence, but I really do enjoy it. Doctor Who’s companion is such a dream part, and Audrey [in Little Shop of Horrors] is another dream part. I'm having a ball!

How did you get the role of Lucie in Doctor Who?
I know Jason Haigh-Ellery, who’s producing them, and he said they were getting a load of girls to come in to audition for Paul McGann’s new sidekick. So I went along, and they did recalls, and I got it.

When they told me, I was so thrilled. I worked with Paul McGann about six years ago on a thing called Blood Strangers, which was a two-part ITV drama with Caroline Quentin. I was thrilled on the first day when he actually remembered me. He’s such a nice man to work with, and a really brilliant actor.

What was the recording experience like?
It was so great compared to telly. You don’t have to sit in make up or learn your lines! It was so much fun. We did it for two weeks, if that. We’d come in, go straight to our booths and record it all.

Lucie is a really fun part to play. She’s a brash Northerner to contrast with Paul McGann’s very suave Doctor. She rattles and unnerves him a bit at first, then gradually they become fond of each other.

I had fun working with Paul, getting our relationship bouncing off each other. And Big Finish is such a nice company to work for. They really welcomed me into the family.

Are there more adventures for the Doctor and Lucie on the way?
Hopefully. They’re talking about doing more. I’d love to be part of them – I’d be honoured, because it was such a nice job to do. If they’d have me, I’d love to come back as Lucie, but we’ll see.

How did you get involved with Little Shop of Horrors?
I was chatting with a friend about it, and I said I’d love to play Audrey – it’s such a dream part. Lo and behold, by sheer coincidence, I got a call from my agent a week later, saying that the Chocolate Factory would like me to audition for Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors!

I couldn’t believe it. I love the Chocolate Factory. I’d heard so much good stuff about it anyway, but I never thought I’d get the part in a million years, as I haven’t sung for so long. I was absolutely thrilled when I got it. I’m really enjoying every minute of it.

With Audrey, the danger is that people tend to camp it up and not make her a real person. But it’s a really sad story, that’s she beaten up. We’ve tried to make this a show of real heart, rather than camping it up. It is a talking plant at the end of the day. It’s a silly story, but it’s a really sweet story.

You're about to move to the West End. What differences do you expect, going from a studio theatre to the Duke of York’s?
The intimacy of the Chocolate Factory is great. The audience is so close that you feel you’re really part of it. The Duke of York is a step up from this, but isn’t that big. You’re still close to the audience and people can still see your faces. It’s not like a massive arena where you don’t feel you can connect with the characters.

It’ll be a different set, too, and there’s new cast coming in, including Alistair McGowan. That will keep everything fresh. But it’ll still be the same fun show, and I can’t wait!

How long is the West End run?
Everyone’s signed for six months. Whether that will be it, who knows? We’re all thrilled that we’re going to get another run at it in a new theatre.

What’s next for you?
I’m filming a second series of Love Soup, which I did last year, and a second series of Grown Ups for BBC3. I’ll be doing those during the day, and the show at night, so it’ll be full on! But I can’t complain. I love work, and I’m very lucky to be doing these roles.

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