:: You're well known to many from Birds of a Feather alongside your stage work, which includes an Olivier-nomination for Young Frankenstein. What are the key differences between the disciplines, and do you have a preference?
If you asked me why I came into the business, it would be because I love theatre. I grew up doing theatre and first started when I was seven. I went to drama school in the 60s, and it was a very different world then.
Theatre was always what I was destined to do and then gradually television took over. Birds of a Feather came along in 1989, and has never been off since.
I love the opportunities television brings, but if I had to choose it would be theatre because I love the connection with the audience. With television you can always do it again, whereas with theatre it's a question of doing it that night and that's your one chance.
Theatre is where my heart is. I love the atmosphere and the family you build. I love to stand in the wings and watch other people work. I love what theatre can do to an audience. Live theatre can change people's lives.
:: Sister Act is a much-loved movie as well as a musical. Were you aware of the show before joining?
I saw Craig Revel Horwood's Sister Act revival with Alexandra Burke, so I was very aware of the show before I joined. The musical doesn't have the music from the film, but it's Alan Menken's (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Enchanted) music – he's a genius.
:: Can you briefly summarise the plot – without spoilers – and tell us about your character, Mother Superior?
Well, Deloris Van Cartier witnesses her boyfriend shoot someone and gets put into hiding in a convent. Mother Superior, who runs the convent, is a very religious person and suddenly into her world comes this woman who is a singer, who wears short skirts, who's full of bling and very over the top. It's about how these two worlds combine and ultimately rub off on each other.
Mother Superior is quite strict and holy. She provides the juxtaposition of strict religious beliefs against this entirely over the top being, which is Deloris Van Cartier. You need the two extremes to rub up against one another, and quite a lot of sparks fly.
:: You appeared on Pilgrimage: The Road to Rome and met the Pope. What was that like and were there any elements of that experience that you've drawn on when playing Mother Superior?
Funnily enough, whenever I'm in the show I do always think of this moment. I had half an hour with the Pope and I blessed him and made him laugh, and he gave me a medal to celebrate his six years in the papacy.
I've always had spirituality about me. I love going in churches. Whenever I go into a church I will always light a candle for both of my parents and Linda Robson's mum, and say a quiet prayer.
That's a spiritual thing more than an actual religious thing. I always find churches very healing in a way. It's a place to sit, contemplate and meditate, and you can come out feeling a slightly better person.
:: How would you describe the Sister Act soundtrack, and do you have a favourite number to perform and/or watch?
I think the soundtrack is amazing. I must say, the audience responses so far have made me feel like we're doing a pop concert. My favourite song is one that Mother Superior has called Here Within These Walls where she describes what life is like in the convent, and how the outside world is full of sin, but inside you find God and you find yourself.
It's a beautiful number, but probably the most serious number in the show to an extent. The other number I love is when Deloris first takes over the choir and she teaches them to sing and brings out their voices. It's called Raise Your Voice. The audience just goes wild. Up until then you've only heard the nuns sing very badly. It stops the show.
:: What do you hope audiences take away from this new production?
I think audiences will take away a reinvigorated love for live theatre. It's a production that also says something about community, and that's one thing that the lockdown showed us was important – caring about your neighbours, caring about your friends, and helping those in need. It's an absolutely joyous musical.
:: Sister Act runs at Belfast's Grand Opera House from January 17 to 28. Limited tickets available at goh.co.uk.
