How do you feel about being in ‘Sing Something Simple’?

I’m very excited.  It’s been quite a while since the audition and the first couple of days of rehearsals are going really well.  I find the idea of my character, Val Parkin, being re-written in a new version of a play that’s already been produced very interesting. That’s quite unusual. The 1980's angle is also appealing.

Do you remember the 80s then, Lisa? 

I do. I was a teenager then.  I was a bit late for punk.  I was more of a frilly New Romantic girlie.  I used to wear ra-ra skirts. Wanting to be an actor, I loved the theatricality of the period and relished dressing up.

Any fashion or hairstyle you’d rather forget?

Most of it probably!  I used to crimp my hair.  I also wanted a corkscrew perm.  My mother would wrap my hair around pipe cleaners to get that look.  I remember wearing bat wing tops.  Although, as all of the 80s looks have come back around, I’ve worn a couple of those recently too!

Who is your favourite 80s singer or band and why?

I wasn’t into the most popular bands like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.  I preferred the more alternative, moody artists like Japan, Adam and the Ants and Kate Bush.  I used to watch bands at Lancaster University (‘Sing Something Simple’ plays Lancaster on 23^rd March).  I saw Blancmange and The Teardrop Explodes there.

Which 80s TV show or movie would you bring back?

I used to watch ‘Fame’ and think that’s what I wanted to do. I wasn’t into dancing on tables though!

Talking of dancing, which of these would you do at the 80s disco?  Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk or MC Hammer’s Shuffle?

It would have to be the shuffle. I’ve got a bit of a funny hip!

Sing Something Simple (The Greatest Hits Volume 2) opens at Cast Doncaster on March 12th/13th/14th and tours to Junction Goole March 18th/19th, Lincoln Drill Hall March 20th, Lancaster Grand March 23rd, Arena Theatre Wolverhampton March 25th/26th, Theatre Severn Shrewsbury March 29th, Guildhall Theatre Derby April 1st/2nd and The Lowry Salford Quays April 3rd and 4th.