Star Interview

Linda Nolan will certainly be in the mood for dancingand singingand acting, as she stars in the international smash musical, 'Blood Brothers' showing at Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday 2nd February to Saturday 14th February. If you haven't seen this fabulous musical then you are really missing out. Over 32,000 people have already seen the production in Milton Keynes and every night audiences have stood and cheered.

MK WEB was lucky enough to catch up with the busy Nolan sister as she prepared for the promotion of the musical. We asked her what she thought about Milton Keynes as a thriving culture destination. She said that the theatre was probably the most enjoyable modern theatre she had performed in, encapsulating a modern air as well as masses of character! Although she doesn't have much time in between shows, performing eight times a week, Linda said that Milton Keynes gave lots of opportunities for outside show activities, including our excellent range of shops in CMK and Midsummer Place. As for missing her pop career, as part of 'The Nolan Sisters,' Linda claimed to have no regrets and said she loved the entertainment industry in every way, even though there have been some lows. Since leaving the group in 1983 to embark on a solo career Linda has enjoyed success in virtually every medium of the industry. Highlights have included a major European tour with Frank Sinatra and television performances on shows such as Shooting Stars, Never mind the Buzzcocks and This Morning. Linda has also embarked on a British theatre tour with Lily Savage in 'Prisoner: Cell Block H' and performed at the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium. Pantomime credits include starring roles in Dick Whittington, Aladdin, Cinderella, Babes in the Wood and Jack and the Beanstalk. Also, in 1990, she was acclaimed as Cabaret Club Female Vocalist of the Year by a major show business newspaper.

From an early age, being part of a family that was heavily involved in show business, Linda had an innate feeling that she was always meant to perform on stage. She said that her heart had skipped a beat when she had first seen her name on the credits at the end of a Top of the Pops show! MK WEB asked Linda what she thought of the now controversial popstars being churned out of T.V shows such as 'Pop Idol' or 'Fame Academy.' The advice she would give to young people coming into the entertainment industry is to have faith in what you want to be. To get somewhere you have to keep trying until you succeed. Linda had worked in dozens of working men's clubs as a cabaret singer before her and her sisters cracked the market. She noted that the people who have most success in life are the people who never give up on what they want and work hard; you cannot expect to try once and have a lucky break. Linda realises that for every one famous person involved in music, dancing or acting there are another two or three hundred amazingly talented people who are left unemployed.

In 2001, Linda joined the Phoenix Theatre company and is now coming to Milton Keynes once again to star in 'Blood Brothers,' the show hailed by the 'International herald Tribute' as 'the greatest musical of the decade.' This captivating story of twin boys separated at birth then reunited by a twist of fate and a mother's haunting secret, has scooped four awards for 'Best Musical' in London, seven Tony nominations on Broadway and receives a standing ovation at every performance. A sensational cast headed by Linda Nolan, amazing show-stopping music, remarkable staging and five star performances make 'Blood Brothers' an enthralling night of entertainment.

Interview by Rachel Clare, journalist student with MKWeb

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