The evil Miss Hannigan reveals her soppy side!
single mum Helen in the National Theatre’s production of A Taste of Honey. She has played Miss Hannigan before, over Christmas in 2015.
“She’s great, isn’t she?” cries Jodie with glee about the wonderfully wicked character, who she’s taking on for three weeks at the Hippodrome.
“Such a fantastic role and the polar opposite of who I normally play. I love to go to those depths, it’s really good to push yourself. I don’t think Miss Hannigan is redeemable, but she can be vulnerable at times. I think she resents Annie so much because she sees a bit of herself in her.
“I feel slightly anguished when I have to shout at the children, but they’re used to it by now and they love it. They’re amazing, they make me cry.
“I get into the part by channelling all the really bitchy people and bullies I have met along the way. It feels like therapy.
“I can’t channel Craig though, because he’s far too nice. I know he has this bitchy persona on Strictly but he’s one of the loveliest men you will ever meet in this industry and the first person there to support you.
“Since my last time bits have changed here and there. That’s the good thing about this show, it’s always evolving. I’m going ‘That works better, I like that’. It keeps it fresh and me on my toes.
“But one thing hasn’t changed – they have the same dog playing Sandy! And I’m sure she recognised me. Amber is so well behaved, nothing like my dogs.”
Jodie, who’s from Blackpool, is looking forward to returning to Birmingham, a place she knows well. She starred in the Hippodrome panto in 2016 with John Barrowman and has returned to the city every year since, in leading roles in Shirley Valentine, Fat Friends and Abigail’s Party.
“Birmingham has the best train station I’ve ever seen. I love anywhere with a great shopping centre, so you’ll find me floating around TK Maxx.
“The audiences are always ‘wow’ in Birmingham, it’s great playing there. I always look for Birmingham on the list if I’m on a tour. I was disappointed to see I’m not coming there with A Taste of Honey, but it is going to Wolverhampton.”
What would Jodie’s dream role be?
“Apart from sausage roll and Arctic roll,” she jokes, “I would love to do Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and get into that dark crevice. And to be in Gypsy one day.
“I’m also trying my hand at writing, working on a comedy drama for television with a new production company. I don’t want to jinx it but that’s bubbling away, and I’m enjoying collaborating. I haven’t written a part for myself in it, it’s nice to sometimes take a step back and let people shine.”
Jodie, who’s engaged to Simon Booth, turned 40 last month. She says: “I haven’t really noticed any difference, or if life is beginning at 40! As for getting older, I’ll just put on some tight knickers and hope for the best. It’ll be fine.”
Annie the Musical is at Birmingham Hippodrome from July 23 – August 11. For tickets, ring 0844 338 5000 or go to birminghamhippodrome.com.