Sister act: Intriguing role in Bronte play
Name: Siobhan Morris. Home town: I’m originally from Burnley but have lived in Rossendale for six years. I recently moved to Weir and previously lived in Waterfoot. Job: PR and marketing account manager. Which theatre company are you involved with?: The Rossendale Players. Are you taking part in any productions at the moment?: Yes, I have a part in We are Three Sisters, a play about the Bronte sisters. Who is your character in the play?: I’m playing Anne Bronte, who was the youngest of the ‘surviving’ Bronte sisters, and is a famous English novelist and poet, although her work is perhaps lesserknown than that of her sisters. There were originally six Bronte siblings but in the play there are four - Charlotte, Emily, Anne (the three sisters) and their brother Branwell. There had been two other sisters (Maria and Elizabeth), but they had sadly passed away in childhood before the play was set. How long have you been with the Rossendale Players?: For around five years, however this will be my first time back on stage since having my daughter who is nearly two. I was also a member very briefly about 12 years ago, before going to university, and I rejoined when I moved to the area. What do you like/dislike about the character you are currently playing?: It’s an honour to be playing one of the Bronte sisters. I’ve read Charlotte and Emily’s novels, Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, but I’m less familiar with Anne’s work. This makes her more intriguing. I can also relate to Anne as I am the youngest of three sisters too. I have a brother too, but he’s younger and nothing like Branwell Bronte. What do you most enjoy?: After a two-year break from acting, I love going to the rehearsals and feeling part of the Rossendale Players’ community again. One of my best friends, Helen Lockett-Soule, is playing Charlotte, so it’s really lovely to be acting alongside her too. Have you been in any other productions?: Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to be in quite a few productions for the Rossendale Players, including Cash on Delivery, Laying the Ghost, Visiting Hour, Blood Brothers and Hay Fever. Who is your favourite actor and why?: Male – Tom Hanks and the late Robin Williams have been my favourites since childhood. Female – I’m a fan of Audrey Hepburn. To choose someone more current, I admire Sheridan Smith’s recent work, she was absolutely fantastic in Mrs Biggs and Cilla. If you could play any part what would it be and why?: Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (the original non-musical version of My Fair Lady). I’ve been a big fan of musical film since I was a little girl, but I can’t sing. I love the original script though – Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins are great characters. I love the period costumes too. Are you involved in any other projects at the moment?: Not yet, although behind the scenes I help out with marketing and publicity. What do you most enjoy about doing this?: I love taking myself out of my comfort zone and being part of a creative team effort, and again I really enjoy the social side of going to rehearsals. Any memorable/funny moments or highlights from this?: I was quite amused when I found out that the actress playing my older sister, Emily, is younger than I am. She’s 16 and I’m 31, so I was quite flattered, although my character Anne is quite sickly in the play so this could explain my slightly older appearance when compared to Emily.
We Are Three Sisters is the special 80th anniversary production by The Rossendale Players and will be the first play of the new 2016/17 season. There are performances until Saturday, October 8, at the New Millennium Theatre on Burnley Road East in Waterfoot. Tickets are £8 and are on sale now. Call 01706 228720, book online via TicketSource, or call into Watts News next door to the theatre.