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An Interview With Eastenders' Lorraine Stanley

Thursday, 25 July 2024 12:09

By Amy Shephard @words_by_amy

Lorraine Stanley. Photo credit: Pip Bourdillon

Portsmouth actress Lorraine Stanley will be starring in this year’s Pompey Panto at The Kings Theatre Portsmouth – playing the role of Queen Rat in Dick Whittington.

Best known for playing Karen Taylor in the ever-popular soap, Eastenders, since 2017 – Lorraine was born in Portsmouth and is a regular supporter of The Kings Theatre. We caught up with Lorraine about her career – and her memories of visiting the Isle of Wight as a child:

Are you looking forward to being in this year’s panto at Kings Theatre?

I am so looking forward to playing Queen Rat. I’m so over the top as a person, and as an actor. I’m always being told to tone it down – but panto is about toning it up! So I’m going to be in my absolute element. It’s more fun to play a baddie. I usually play the part that people feel sorry for. I hope I don’t take the boos personally – I’m quite soft like that.

Jack is the best dame. It doesn’t matter what stars are in it – he steals the show!

Tell us about your memories of Kings Theatre as a child...

It’s funny that I’m starring in Dick Whittington because my first memory of Kings Theatre is of watching the same show – with Lorraine Chase in.

I grew up in Portsmouth – I left when I was 20 to go to drama school – so we went a lot as kids – not every year, because we were skint. Kings Theatre have done well to freeze the ticket prizes to make it more affordable to everybody.

Panto is for everyone – I don’t care what age you are. We go as the whole family and have a laugh. It just takes you back to your childhood again.

When did you first know you wanted to be an actor?

As soon as I was old enough to talk I was saying I want to be an actor – I want to be on stage. I went to the holiday camps on the Isle of Wight and at Butlins and entered the talent competitions. I was always first on stage.

Then I joined Portsmouth Players and I was in the chorus of Calamity Jane. And my maths teacher said I should go to South Downs College. So I applied and did a BTEC with Emma Barton, who plays Honey in Eastenders.

I wanted to be a Red Coat. But then I applied to drama schools and got into Arts Ed. Portsmouth gave me a grant to go. They covered everything – so I owe Pompey, I really do. This is why I want to do panto, especially in Pompey. My mum was a single parent of four girls so there’s no way I’d have been able to afford to go to drama school. I thank them for that – that’s why I’m coming back!

I know you also played Pearl in Call The Midwife – but what other films and programmes have you done in your career that are memorable to you?

I did a film called London to Brighton which kicked started my film career.

I played a prostitute on the run with a young girl. It was a very dark slice of London life. But that got me on the ladder.

Made in Dagenham was very cool, with the late Bob Hoskins. That was about women getting equal pay to men. And also Suffragette I was in. A small part but that was about getting the vote. So two films about women at the forefront changing the system, which is quite cool.

And Pearl was a great role. That was the first ever episode of Call The Midwife!

Which storylines in Eastenders have been particular memorable to you?

I loved Pride – that was my favourite. When I stole Bernie’s thunder because she was coming out and then I found a bird! Suddenly I’m in dungarees and boots. It was funny. Working with Patsy Palmer is always great. She’s a legend. For me, that was a pinch me moment. I still love watching her. She’s such a cool person.

I worked with June Brown when I first started. She passed the baton over to me in the laundrette. I was actually shaking when I worked with her. I was like “oh my god, you’re Dot!”

There’s a big storyline going on at the moment that relates to your family!

I know! Poor Keanu, they killed him off. I’m not in it at the moment but who knows when I’ll be back, if ever...or soon. We don’t know!

What are your memories of the Isle of Wight?

That was our holiday every year. We used to go to Whitecliff Bay and stay at the caravan park on the cliffs. We went when I was pregnant with my daughter for nostalgia with my mum – that was the best day. We used to go to Blackgang Chine. And then Godshill and have scones. And the cable cars at The Needles, where we’d put the sand in the little bottles. We’d go over on the Hovercraft. We love the Garlic Farm too – and fish and chips by the sea.

What can people expect when they come to the panto this Christmas?

I think they’re gonna get lots of funny banter, lots of energy. I hope you’re gonna love to hate me. If I do my part right, you’ll be booing like you’ve never booed before! I have got to sing – so I’m excited about that! I’m looking forward to the iconinc ‘If I were not in pantomime song’! I can’t wait for the part where we’re chucking toilet rolls! I hope they’re prepared. I’m gonna give it my all.

You can catch Lorraine in Dick Whittington in this year’s Pompey Panto at Kings Theatre, from November 29th to December 31st.

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