Interview: Lyn Paul, Mrs J in UK Tour Of BLOOD BROTHERS!

Hi Lyn! Congratulations on the role - are you excited?

Yes, I'm even excited about going back on tour and all the changing hotels! I'm looking forward to it very much.

Obviously it's a role you're familiar with, having played it in the West End - how do you keep it interesting and challenging?

It's been two and a half years since I last did it, I did the closing shows in London at the Phoenix, so it'll be great to go in there and find new ways to do Mrs J. I think it's always interesting because it's so well written - the interest is there all the time because every night when you go on, people laugh at different things, you work with great actors who just find different ways to deliver lines, and you react differently, so there's always something new to find in the show.

It's such a cleverly written show. As an actor that must be a challenge every night, really?

Yes, it is, but it's written so well it just rolls off the tongue. Sometimes you get a script and you look at it and can't remember certain sentences because it's not as you'd say it, but with Willy Russell, it's exactly as you would say something, exactly how you would react. It's incredibly easy to read and because of that it allows you great scope to do things differently. You're right, it's so well written.

How emotionally draining is playing Mrs J?

You get what you call 'a Blood Brothers face'! You start off looking your age or a bit younger, you end up looking like an old lady of 86 because of all the crying every night, your eyes swell up, the make-up is tougher to put on. I've got a 26-year-old son so I've only got to look at those boys at the end and I've gone. It does me in, but I love it. I love the crying, actually!

That must affect your voice though!

I'm not Shirley Bassey - I can't cry AND sing. So if it gets too much I'm afraid I warble something shocking, but the funny thing is that audiences accept that. You look at the front row and they're there dabbing their eyes. Everybody's cried and tried to talk when they're crying, so they understand that. When they stand up, you know you've done a good job.

So going on tour will be exhausting but it should be fun to take it in front of different audiences?

Absolutely. The nice one for me is the Saturday night, closing one show and as you're finishing a scene they're packing up behind you. Seeing it emptying and knowing the audience are willing you on - it's a touching evening on the last night.

Are you looking forward to any venue?

Just the entire tour! I'm working with a lot of people I've worked with before, which is fantastic. I know what to expect at all the theatres, and they always treat us so well, so I'm looking forward to the lot!

Lyn Paul plays Mrs J in the UK tour of Blood Brothers throughout 2016.

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