Denise Black interview

Talented TV actress Denise Black appears at the brilliant Royal Exchange Theatre to star in a major revival of Arnold Wesker’s groundbreaking classic ROOTS. Best known for her parts in Coronation Street and of course Queer As Folk, she plays the indomitable mother Mrs Bryant in this new production. We couldn’t let this opportunity slip by without catching up with Denise about her current show and also one or two questions about Corrie and QAF.

What made you take the part in Roots?
I am ashamed to say I had never read the story Roots! When I did read it on the way to the audition, I just couldn’t put it down, it’s one of the best plays I’ve ever read. Essentially it’s an angry woman play, I was that angry woman once, that’s why I liked it and that’s why I wanted to be in the play.

Great to see you back in Manchester Denise. Have you performed at The Royal Exchange before?
Yes I have performed at The Royal Exchange before and given half the chance I would spend half my life up here because it’s the best theatre ever.

You are obviously excited about the play and performing at The Exchange, how are rehearsals going?
This is a kitchen sink show. We have functioning kitchen sinks, functioning baths, we have water that heats! I said to the director today that this is like a proper job – making tea for everybody, washing up and working my socks off – it’s like manual labour!

Do you like working in Manchester generally?
It always feels like I have been here before it’s a home. Every show I have ever done has gone through Manchester. I was on the road for fifteen years struggling to get noticed before I got the part in Corrie. I’d always write to Granada and I’d always write to The Royal Exchange. I never thought I’d get the part in Corrie because I’m a southerner. But I must have some northern spirit. I sort of belong here.

Do you prefer working in television or theatre?
I am a tart I work for money! I love them both. Theatre you have got the real audience – this is a very funny play and I’m certainly hoping that people are going to laugh at me not with me. And you can hear the laughs and its brilliant if you get them, and a nightmare if you don’t! Films are kind of glamourous – I got to make a film with Michael Caine – fabulous! Telly keeps the roof over your head, you need television.

You have worked with a lot of ‘A’ list tv stars, such as David Jason, tell us more about that
I worked with David Jason on the pilot for ‘A Touch Of Frost.’ I’ve worked on other shows including Holby City, of course Coronation Street, Clocking Off, Second Coming and Queer As Folk. The truth is up here you have got Paul Abbot and Russel T. Davies and I was lucky they were both working on Corrie when I starred in the show. I am the lucky girl who gets to do these great drama’s, unfortunately I am not in Shameless which is just great. I didn’t watch it last night, I made the mistake of watching something with Michael Portillo telling us what was a good way to kill people! I went up for the part of the Mum in Shameless, you have to be philosophical sometimes.

Besides Shameless, is there any other television stuff you would like to be in?
Err, yes, oceans of it! I really like work. There is always a reason why you would like to do something. Roots is obviously the venue and the play. Another one because its got Michael Caine in it. Another one because of the writing. I want to do Doctor Who! By Russel T. Davies of course who did Queer As Folk. I would love the southerners to take me on as a serious actor like the northerners do.

What was your favourite moment in Queer As Folk moment on or off set?
I think the first series was quite tense. I thought it was one of the best projects I’d been involved in. It wasn’t that relaxed though – especially the two weeks of night filming of continued sex scenes – this was a bit of a strain. It was nerve racking – we didn’t know how people would take it. The pleasure definitely came in the second series, I got to do a car chase round Manchester, I got to go to a sauna in leather but I particularly enjoyed the scene with the mothers, enough mothers to make jam, talking about bum sex. Let’s just say the stuff we talked about between takes cannot be repeated! One of the scenes I was thrilled with was when I read the bit in series one after Vince’s birthday party and I go round to Stuart’s house, I was very scared of this scene originally, but because they were so pleased with the outcome I got written loads of more stuff, in a way it kind of made a career for me.

You came back into Coronation Street for a short time last year, is there any chance of you appearing again at some point?
I do not know. I am very much at the centre of Ken’s and Deidrie’s storyline right now. I loved doing it, I would do it again. The highlight for me was being slapped by Deidrie.

SILLY QUESTIONS
Favourite colour: Green
Something you like: The sea
Something you loath: 5 o’clock starts
Favourite TV show: Shameless
Favourite film: Alfie (the original version)

Roots is currently at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester until Saturday 1st March 2008.

Telephone: 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk for more information on the show and other performances at the theatre.