DON’T MIND IF I DO
River City star Frances Thorburn talks on-screen weddings.
RIVER CITY star Frances Thorburn liked her wedding day outfit so much she wouldn’t mind saying “I do” in it in real life.
The BBC Scotland soap this week features the nuptials of Frances’s Kim and muchloved show favourite Bob, played by Stephen Purdon.
And Frances was a big fan of her bridal outfit.
“It actually felt like a proper wedding,” Frances told iN10.
“All the characters were in their best outfits and I’d had my hair done.
“There was an excitement and it all felt real as we got ready. In fact,
I found the ceremony when I was saying my vows very moving.
“I loved the dress, which was very pretty and understated. I thought it was perfect for Kim and would even have been well-suited for myself.
“With the dress and the hair and make-up, it was a real treat.”
In the best traditions of telly soap, all is likely to run far from smoothly with Nicole filming a kiss with Bob, blackmailing him out of money and threatening to tell a blissfully-unaware Kim.
“Everyone is happy and Bob is set to say his vows when he has a pang of guilt over what he’s done,” confides Frances.
“He reveals, in front of everybody, that he’s kissed Nicole. It’s a massive moment in the middle of the wedding and it’s all down to how Kim reacts.
“She certainly doesn’t take it lying down and whether the ceremony goes ahead is up in the air.”
Frances has made a huge impression since she joined River City and has become more established than she could have imagined.
She did a couple of scenes two years ago this month and it all took off from there.
“I was a huge River City fan before I joined – still am – and I was so nervous,” says Frances.
“I remember being excited on the first day, wanting to see round all the different sets. I had hoped to land a part for a long time before one came along. It was a dream come true. “Stephen was so kind and so was Scott Fletcher, who plays Angus. I went into their wee huddle right away and there was lots of fun.
“I’ve had lots of things to get my teeth into as well and Kim has really developed into a strong female. She’s quite feisty now and that’s very satisfying to play.” River City is far and away Frances’s biggest TV break, but she had racked up an impressive body of stage work before joining.
She appeared in big London musicals but ask about her highlights and she immediately cites ones that are closer to home – including playing two of the 20th Century’s greatest female icons.
“IplayedMarilynMonroeatthe Citizen’s Theatre and Judy Garland at Oran Mor in Glasgow.
“I had to do a lot of research for them. I pretty much watched every Monroe film and I did the same with Garland.
“I was a massive fan of Garland when I was growing up. I read up on both and listened to their voices quite a bit to figure out how they spoke and how they sang.
“I was so keen on getting it right, I even dyed my hair peroxide blonde for Marilyn rather than wear a wig.
“Ifelttherewasalotof responsibility to get it right with both of them as they were such incredible women.
“But it was a real labour of love as you are looking to find the right way of portraying them without it being a caricature.”
Now, though, it’s very much River City that Frances is devoting her energies to and she feels there’s plenty strong stories to come.
That includes the fragile health of Kim’s mum Isobel (Alison Peebles), who has dementia.
“I think it’s vital to show that as it’s something that affects so many people,” adds Frances.
River City, BBC1 Scotland, Tuesday, 8pm.