Eastenders actress Cheryl Fergison and music legend Tony Christie among stars in new Wolverhampton play Ladies' Day - in video
She's best known as Eastenders' loveable lass Heather Trott, but actress Cheryl Fergison is getting ready to step in the spotlight as a true Black Country 'bab'.
And she admitted she's actually a little nervous about getting the accent right.
Along with former Hollyoaks star Emma Rigby, Emmerdale's Deena Payne, and a bit of special cameo from singing legend Tony Christie, ex-Eastenders actress Cheryl will be starring in Wolverhampton Grand's summer performance of Ladies' Day.
Written by Amanda Whittington, Ladies Day' is described as an exuberant comedy about four 'likely lasses' from Wolverhampton who work at a fish factory and go on a day trip to the races at Dunstall Park.
Life is just one long, hard slog for friends Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda but their fortunes could all soon change when they head to Ladies' Day at the racecourse.
Cheryl, 52, plays 'loyal' and 'truthful' mother Jan, who would do absolutely anything for her teenage daughter. But despite her previous acting stints including Doctor Who and Little Britain, the star said she felt a little apprehensive about speaking in a Wolverhampton accent on stage in front of 'true' locals.
She said: "There are three accents that I can't put on my CV; Black Country, Newcastle and Welsh. So I've been listening to lots of YouTube people and lots of lovely people here have given me pointers too.
"I'm worried about doing it it front of an audience in Wolverhampton, because it's not going to be perfect. But they seem like a very forgiving audience, so as long as I don't go as far as Australian or something. We might get a bit of a mixture!"
The play, originally shown in Hull 15 years ago, has been tweaked and modernised to fit in with 2018 Wolverhampton.
Music by Tony Christie, who is best known for his hit 'Is This The Way To Amarillo?', will also feature in the production.
Singer Tony said he was excited to have his songs back in the show, and even more excited for a special mystery cameo part.
"I'm going to be in it too but I don't know what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll be a jockey - or a horse," he joked.
"I was doing a tour at the Grand a couple of years ago - it's a place I'll never forget because I got an £80 fine for driving in a bus lane.
"But the theatre is beautiful, it's a really nice place inside. And it's so close to home too as I only live in Lichfield."
Ladies' Day will star Cheryl Fergison as Jan, Deena Payne as Pearl, Emma Rigby as Shelly, Roisin O’Neill as Linda and Sean McKenzie in multiple roles.
Chief executive of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Adrian Jackson said he was looking forward to working with a talented cast and crew for the performance.
He added: "The casting for Ladies’ Day is very exciting, bringing together a variety of talents from stage, screen and the music industry. It will make something very special for the people of Wolverhampton and beyond."
Ladies' Day will play at the city theatre from Friday, July 13 to Saturday, July 28.
Tickets are now on sale at the Grand Theatre Box Office in person, by calling 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk
