OGRE THE MOON
ACTRESS DITCHES HER GOOD HABITS AS Midwife star’s joy after landing role in Shrek musical
Steve Hendry When Call The Midwife’s Laura Main belts out I’m A Believer as she switches on Edinburgh’s Christmas lights this afternoon, she’ll have come full circle.
The actress is making her debut in the city as Princess Fiona in the touring West End musical Shrek, fulfilling a lifetime ambition for a girl who always wanted to be on stage.
Growing up in Aberdeen, Laura performed in amateur and student theatre productions at His Majesty’s Theatre and would travel to Edinburgh to see bigger shows at the Playhouse.
Laura, 36, said: “I saw loads of things at His Majesty’s in Aberdeen but, rather than going all the way down to London for some of the really big musicals, we used to go down to Edinburgh and the Playhouse.
“I saw Me and My Girl there, Cats, Les Misérables. So to be opening at the Playhouse is incredibly exciting.
“I really can’t quite believe it. We play Aberdeen too and I have done so much on that stage growing up but this will be my first time back as a professional actress so that will be lovely to get the chance to do.
“I’ll also be able to get home and stay with my mum and dad. It really does mean a lot.”
Laura grew up with retired teacher mum Lorna, fish merchant dad Robert and sisters Rona and Julia.
She started performing aged just 11, making her musical theatre debut as Annie with Phoenix Youth Theatre at 14 before starring as Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music a year later.
She has found enduring success with Call The Midwife, in which she plays doctor’s wi fe Shelagh Turner, formerly Sister Bernadette.
As an original cast member, she has watched as the show has continued to reach new heights, year after year. Since it launched in
2012, Call The Midwife has been one of Britain’s most popular drama series. Based on the memoir of East End midwife Jennifer Worth, it was voted Best Drama of the 21st Century in a BFI and Radio Times audience poll this year. Laura said: “There is never one day I have taken it for granted. To be in something which has connected the way it does is special.” I n her time on Call The Midwife, Laura’s character has swapped a wimple and a life of faith for working as a midwife and marriage to Dr Patrick Turner, played by Stephen McGann. Shelagh also has adopted daughter Angela, stepson Timothy and now her own baby, Teddy.
She’s arguably been on the biggest and most interesting journey of anyone in the show, although Shelagh’s horn-rimmed glasses have remained a constant.
Laura said: “Initially I was just wowed by having a little part in this ensemble with these amazing actresses like Jenny Agutter, Pam Ferris and Judy Parfitt.
“Then, when it got recommissioned, that’s when I was told the writer Hedi Thomas had this idea that my character would leave the order. I can’t believe the things I have got to do over the course of the show.
“I am so glad when I get to the end of f filming I don’t have to say goodbye to the glasses forever. I put them away and say, ‘I’ll l see you in six months.’”
Laura, who earlier this year split from her r long-term partner, actor Stephen McGlynn, n, will take a break from Shrek to continue e filming the eighth series of Call The Midwife, e, which returns with a Christmas special. She he hopes the musical will prove as much of a hit overer its four-week run in Edinburgh.
Laura, who was already a fan of the films, added: “Children love it and adults find it hysterical ass well.
“And now I’m getting to playy Princess Fiona. It’s just a dream.””