Corrie pals show Hayley support
HAYLEY Tamaddon was supported by her Coronation Street pals at the press night for her new musical. Hayley, who played Andrea Beckett in Corrie, was joined backstage by her pals Daniel Brocklebank and Sally Ann Matthews, who play Billy Mayhew and Jenny Bradley in the ITV1 soap, as she took to the stage in Closets at the Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats.
Former Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson and Hayley’s Dancing On Ice skating partner Daniel Whiston were also among the VIP guests.
Hayley, who walked the Corrie cobbles for almost two years as bubbly Andrea and is also known for playing Del Dingle in Emmerdale, is sporting a new image for her role set in 1988, with curly tresses and lashings of blue eyeliner.
Her character, Susan, is a young single mum struggling to raise her son, Henry, who is grappling with his sexuality and identity.
Ackley Bridge actor Sam Retford plays 16-year-old Henry in the show, which has a strong antibullying message and stresses it’s okay to be who you are.
Hayley said previously: “Closets is a story that should be told everywhere and we’re in a position to make that happen. There are so many teenage boys going through what Henry is going through, who are too scared to talk about it, and too scared to be okay with who they are, and don’t know who to go to, or who to turn to. Hopefully we can bring this story to life and to show people – not just young teenage boys – but people everywhere, that it’s okay to be who you are. It’s okay to love who you want to love, and it’s okay to just tell someone if you’re struggling.
“And I hope this story helps people.”
The show runs at Hope Mill Theatre in Pollard Street until tomorrow and also stars former X Factor contestant Lloyd Daniels.
Based on the multi-awardwinning short film Closets, sponsored by Attitude Magazine in 2015, it tells the story of Henry who has daily battles with his mother and unexpectedly time travels through his closet to 2018, meeting 16-year-old Ben who is in his bedroom dealing with similar issues today.
Closets, which had its premiere in Manchester, is currently being adapted into a musical feature film due to be shot next year.
For tickets visit hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/closets-the-musical