FORMER Coronation Street star Steven Arnold is ‘jumping at the chance’ to perform as six characters in a much-anticipated play launching in Malvern, writes Aaron Wise.
Best known as the ‘butcher’s son’ Ashley Peacock in the hit soap, Mr Arnold has swapped the camera for the stage in Maple Tree Entertainment’s ‘Chaplin – The Charlie Chaplin Story’, which will begin its major UK tour at Malvern Theatres this Friday (June 10).
As well as playing Charlie Chaplin’s brother, Mr Arnold will take on the role of five other characters as he performs in a way never seen before in the heart-warming and hilarious musical about the first true British icon of cinema.
Also starring Nicole Faraday, best known for her roles in ‘Bad Girls’ and ‘Emmerdale’, the powerful musical tale weaves through Chaplin’s modest and troubled childhood growing up in the gutters of Victorian London.
It also focuses on Chaplin’s relationship with his mother, who after being admitted to an asylum, was forced to put her sons into the workhouse and moves through Chaplin’s early showbiz career on the Vaudeville stage.
Journeying through the primitive years of early Hollywood, the show finishes with Chaplin discovering his big breakthrough film ‘The Kid’, which made him a household name.
“I think I’ve been to Malvern before as a child. I know one of the town’s claim to fame is being the home of Morgan Motors. My friend had one, they’re brilliant cars,” Mr Arnold told the Observer.
“I’m very exited about The Charlie Chaplin Story being performed in the town, it’s a great play which details the tough life journey of Mr Chaplin, but I don’t want to give too much away.
“I play six characters in the play so I’ll be on and off the stage constantly, but that’s why I signed up. I knew the challenge would be great and I jumped at it.
“Playing the role of Americans, I’ve listened to a lot of New York accents to help me get into character. I’m always trying to challenge myself as an actor and I think this play is the perfect environment to do so,” he added.
Despite Mr Arnold being a professional actor for more than 20 years, he admits he still gets nervous in front of the camera and on stage, but relishes the challenge of performing across unfamiliar platforms.
“I left Coronation Street six years ago and have starred in 18 plays since then. I found it a slightly tough and strange transition from TV acting to theatre acting to begin with.
“In front of a camera you’re very still, but in a big theatre you’re running around all the time.
“With the amount of roles I’m playing in The Charlie Chaplin Story I’m quite nervous, but I’ll use those nerves to get through it.
“The cast is fantastic and is one of the best I’ve ever worked with.
“The play itself and the deeper story of Charlie Chaplin’s life come across in such a great way and I can’t stress enough that this is a great night out for all the family, so please come along,” he added.
The show starts at 7.45pm in the Forum Theatre and tickets cost £22.40.
Call the Theatres’ Box Office on 01684 892277 or visit www.malvern-theatres.co.uk for more information.
