What can audiences expect when they come to see the show?
It’s a thrilling, gripping show about a woman who you meet at a time in her life where she’s very broken and it’s a mystery that the audience will be drawn into wanting to solve. It makes for a very entertaining night out that will have people on the edge of their seats.
Who is Rachel and what is her role in the story?
I don’t want to give too much away for people who haven’t read the book or seen the film, but Rachel is sort of a lost woman who is at a point in her life where things could go one way or the other for her. On her morning commute she becomes obsessed with a couple and especially the girl in that couple, who seems to have the life Rachel wishes she had or feels that she should be living. Then the girl goes missing and the drama unfolds, with Rachel trying to figure out what’s happened.
What makes her such a juicy character to play?
She’s someone who is very different to anyone I’ve ever played before. First of all, she’s quite a depressive character and she’s got issues with alcohol. Also, she can’t have children, which is something that you learn throughout the course of the play. So she’s quite a dark character, but she’s also got some humour within her. She’s great to play because she has this massive arc from the start of the play to the finish. I’m nothing like her, which is always fun too. A lot of the scenes are two-handers, so I get to play different relationships with different characters, and Rachel has to think on her feet a lot of the time. It’s quite an emotional, intense role, but also there are moments of light-hearted comedy. She’s such a well-rounded character.
What are the challenges for you of playing a drunk?
It’s hard in a way because it’s about finding her at different points of her being drunk. [Laughs] Well, it’s not really hard, it’s actually quite fun. You have to find a balance because she’s not necessarily drinking to get drunk as such. She can’t handle what’s going on in her life, so she’s using alcohol to get through the day or she’s drinking to get to the next place. I think that’s what a lot of alcoholics do: we never really see that they have been drinking. She’s drinking to cope.
Were you already familiar with the Paula Hawkins novel on which the play is based?
Yes I was. I read it when it first came out [in 2015]. It seemed like everyone was reading it – myself included – and I was really gripped by it. But I was quite young at the time and when I re-read it a few years later I probably had a bit more of an understanding of the character and what the story meant. I also saw the film version but I haven’t rewatched it, or read the book again for that matter, because I’m trying to just go off of this version of the story on stage rather than picking up things from the book and the film.
You toured in 2:22 A Ghost Story a couple of years ago. Why do you think theatre audiences are drawn to a good thriller?
Thrillers really make audiences think, plus I feel that they like to believe they’re sort of one step ahead. These sort of stories are kind of interactive and they offer a way for people to be engaged rather than them just sitting back and being entertained. During the interval everybody’s discussing what they think has happened, then they go back for the second act and are gripped again. That makes for a great night out.
You came to fame as Ruby Allen on EastEnders. What do you enjoy about playing her?
I’ve played her off and on for 20 years now and just as I’ve grown as a person so has the character.
It’s nice that every time I go back to EastEnders I’m always playing a totally different version of her because she is that much older, wiser and has had more life experience. Just like me! Ruby has been a huge part of my life and she’s always been a really well-received character by fans of the show. For my whole adult life I’ve been a part of that show, so I’ve sort of grown up in people’s living rooms, which is a bit strange!
What have been your other favourite TV jobs over the years?
I did a show called Edge of Heaven, which was a comedy, 11 years ago and I really enjoyed that. Again, it was a totally different character from anything I’d played before. But to be honest I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ever done. That’s what I love about this career; it’s always changing. I get to have new experiences and meet new people and play new characters. I’m very fortunate that I’m still going after all these years.
In 2006 at age 17 you were the youngest contestant on Strictly Come Dancing up to that date. What was your takeaway from that experience and have you kept up the dancing?
I loved it so much. I went to Sylvia Young Theatre School and I’ve always loved dancing. That was something that I would have definitely gone on to do had I not booked EastEnders when I did. And have I kept up the dancing since Strictly? Sadly no, I haven’t. I kept in contact with my dance partner Vincent [Simone] and I did keep it up for a while but I haven’t since. I definitely would, though, if an opportunity came up.
You’ve also done a lot of stage work. Any favourites there?
It’s hard to pick favourites because, as with TV, I’ve loved everything I’ve done on stage. And I really love theatre. It’s sort of where my heart lies. I’m yet to do something in the West End, so that’s the next thing on my list, but I’ve done Shakespeare on tour and I loved it. I loved doing 2:22 because it was the first time that I’d played an adult on stage really. I played Rizzo in Grease, which was really fun. So yeah, I love being on stage. I just love the thrill of not knowing how the audience is going to receive something, and getting an immediate reaction from them is quite special.
What do you enjoy about touring with a show?
I enjoy different audiences in different parts of the country. No matter what show you do, wherever you are, the audiences are so different. And obviously it’s just a lovely chance to get to explore the UK. Before lockdown I think a lot of people wouldn’t necessarily holiday in the UK, but actually we’ve got some beautiful places around the country that I probably would have never seen if it wasn’t for work. Whenever I’m in a new place or indeed somewhere I’ve been to before I like to get out and do some exploring. It depends on how many shows we have that week, but that’s something I always try to do.
Is there anything you couldn’t be on the road without?
Well, I’d love to take my little girl but she’s only three and a half so it would be hard to do that. Obviously, I need my phone and my laptop so I can do some work and stay in touch with my family. And I usually take a sleep mask with me so I can be sure of getting a good night’s sleep.
The tour calls at Liverpool, Playhouse Theatre. Does it have any significance for you?
I’ve toured there before and it’s a great theatre with great audiences. One of the things I love about touring is that you get to visit new places and discover new things, or you get to go back to places you’ve been to before and rediscover what you loved about them.
The Girl on the Train is at Liverpool Playhouse from Tue 13- Sat 17 Mar 2025. For booking tickets and more information visit The Girl on the Train – Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres