Youth and beauty secured her fame on Neighbours and she followed up with a pop career, but now a more mature is winning plaudits for her first stage role.

Natalie Imbruglia

The big lips and even bigger eyes meant that Natalie Imbruglia’s face was made for TV and film, and both of these came her way naturally enough. First the Australian soap Neighbours, in which she starred as a teenager, and then parts in movies including Johnny English with Rowan Atkinson followed, as well as the pop career that launched the No. 1 single Torn. But today the 39-year-old is winning rave reviews for her part in Alan Ayckbourn’s Things We Do For Love. Her character, Nikki, suffers heartbreak and humiliation as it is revealed that her fiance is cheating with her old friend. Winning a first stage role in what is regarded as one of the Olivier and Tony-award winning playwright’s best works was undoubtedly a coup for Natalie, and one she’s living up to. ‘Superb stage debut’, ‘brings the play to sudden believable life’ and ‘genuinely moving’ are among the plaudits. Natalie cannot believe her luck: “I have to keep pinching myself. How did I end up here? I can’t tell you how excited I am about it.” She has been studying acting for the last two and a half years in Los Angeles, and it was in LA that she got the call to audition for the role of Nikki. Natalie says: “I had to do the audition by Skype – very modern. When Laurence Boswell, the director, offered me the role, I was like, ‘Really? How amazing! I wasn’t expecting that.’ I’m loving it.” She has nothing but praise for co-stars Claire Price, Edward Bennett and Simon Gregor. “I’m definitely the rookie in this company. I’m sure the other actors were wondering how it was going to be to have a singer join them, so it’s really nice that we are getting on so well. I think they’re relieved that I haven’t turned up with a massive entourage. I don’t like a fanfare, I’ve never needed that kind of craziness. She adds: “They can see that I’m a team player. It’s great to work with experienced actors who really know what they’re doing. I’m like a sponge.” That’s not to say there aren’t nerves, too. “Nerves never go away. Part of being a performer is those insecurities,” says Natalie. “That’s true of even the most incredibly talented people – I’ve read that before every job Meryl Streep is terrified. If you don’t feel that, you become arrogant. “I set myself a big challenge here, but I like to do that. Why not? Dare to fail.” he 2014 Herne Bay Classic Motor Show celebrates the first Herne Bay Speed Trials – which took place in 1924 – with a selection of classic vehicles on show, plus many exhibitors, a retro market and quality entertainment on the seafront. There may be a very special guest! Classic Music and Motors is organising the event with Herne Bay Town Partners. A number of children will officially open the Herne Bay Classic Motor Show by sounding the Big Hooter on the main stage at 10.30am. WIN A FAMILY DAY OUT FOR TWO ADULTS AND TWO CHILDREN, PLUS THE FOLLOWING :

A FAMILY PORTRAIT IN A CLASSIC CAR TAKEN BY THE STUDIO, MORTIMER STREET

A FAMILY FISH & CHIPS LUNCH

WHEN DID THE FIRST HERNE BAY SPEED TRIALS TAKE PLACE? A: 1924 B: 1925 C: 1926 To enter, text the word CLASSIC, leave a space, then add your answer A, B or C plus your name and address to 87474. All replied messages cost £1 plus your standard network charge. Or you can enter online at kentonline.co.uk/ competitions using the word CLASSIC in your entry. Competition ends Tuesday, June 10, 2014. The Herne Bay Classic Motor Show is staged in association with Herne Bay Town Partners and Classic Music & Motors. classicmusicandmotors.co.uk For full terms and conditions, see Offers and Prizes section in What’s On, or visit kentonline.co.uk/terms