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Coronation Street star in Rhyl
TRIPS to see to a Christmas panto with her family was the start of a career as an actress for Tupele Dorgu, who is swapping the cobbles of TV’s Coronation Street for North Wales and a spell as a festive Wicked Witch.
“Panto at Christmas is my favourite time,” said Tupele, during a break to launch Rhyl Pavilion Theatre’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
“It’s a great feeling. You’re all working flat out, doing loads of shows a week, but it’s all light hearted and funny. There’s always some part of the show I want to watch (from the wings) because it’s so funny and clever. Everybody mucks in and has a great time.
“I’m not surprised people do it every year. Because you spend so much time together – going out as well – there’s running jokes that appear on the stage as well.
“And I am really looking to playing the Wicked Witch, though she is evil. You get a great response from the audience.”
Channel 5’s Milkshake presenter Amy Thompson is taking the role of Snow White, the young princess who is nearly killed by her evil stepmother – the Wicked Queen.
Also in the panto, with 42 shows across the run, are Andy Jones, who played Muddles in last year’s Rhyl panto, Peter Pan. And among the line-up of seven “small people” are Laura Whitfield, currently appearing in C4's documentary Seven Dwarfs, plus James Lusted from Rhos on Sea.
Tupele grew up in Preston, and her first interest in the stage was sparked by family trips to the panto.
“The first I can recall seeing as a child was Mother Goose, though I think I was too young to get my head around the plot! What I remember was that it was loads of fun, and you could make a noise, and we got sweets. People were singing, being daft and there was magic. Perfect!”
She quickly grew to love musicals such as My Fair Lady, Annie and Oliver.
“When I was about five I started dance classes amd did musical festivals, and when I was older I worked out I wanted a career in musicals. “
Drama classes followed plus her local youth theatre and amateur musical society. She turned professional, finding fame as Kelly Crabtree in Coronation Street. Since then she’s had stints in Merseybeat, Loose Women, Casualty and Strictly Come Dancing.
She loves signing – she became Beyonce for Stars In Their Eyes, and reached the semifinal of Soapstar Superstar.
Her stage roles have included La Cage Aux Folles, Three Minute Heroes] and the West End production of Mamma Mia!
She’s most recently been seen on TV in Waterloo Road as newcomer Keeley James, and she runs her own company, SugarStorm Entertainment Agency.
A city girl, she’s also looking forward to spending Christmas by the seaside, though she expects to be clocking up the miles in her car.
“I’ve never been to Rhyl before, this is a real novelty for me. I live near the Thames in London now but I’ve also got a place in Manchester, so I will be commuting back to there each night - weather permitting.”
Snow White, Rhyl Pavilion, December 9-January 7.Tickets 01745 330000, www.rhylpavilion.co.uk
