Express & Star

Ruthie Henshall's perfect weekend

Ruthie Henshall is  a West End veteran having starred in musicals such as Cats and Les Misérables. Here she shares a perfect weekend.

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It’s Friday afternoon. What’s on your mind?

I'm looking forward to the prospect of a weekend and not having to get the girls up. I look forward to the weekend!

Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekend?

My girls!!

How do you prepare for a big night out?

I make sure that the girls are looked after as you can't glam yourself up when the kids are distracting you by being interested in the contents of your make up bag!! As an actress, I only put on make up when I'm on stage or going out!

What's your favourite party outfit?

It has to be anything with leopard print in it!

You've just arrived at the bar. What's your first drink?

Diet coke and ice.

What is your favourite nightspot and why?

It is the pizzeria Lucca Enoteca in Manningtree, Essex, which does the most wonderful pizza!

What tune always gets you on the dance floor?

Anything by Lady Gaga.

If you had to watch a live performance of a musical which one would you choose, and why?

Billy Elliot or Matilda, which says a lot about me. I am a real family person and they are musicals which have children and the family at the heart of them.

It's a sunny Saturday. What are you up to?

Mowing the lawn!

What's the recipe for a perfect night in?

It has to be a log fire, candles and a DVD!

Favourite DVD?

It has to be Singin' in the Rain. There is no more perfect film and Gene Kelly is the perfect leading man!

Sunday breakfast – cooked or continental?

It would be continental. Also, I would love someone else to cook as I can't bear cooking…

Sunday lunch – home-cooked or down the pub?

Down the pub!

Where and how do you like to relax?

I like to relax in the company of my good friend Charles Worthington. Every so often he invites me and a number of his friends over and he cooks dinner. I stay over and he lives in the most beautiful place and he always spoils me rotten!

You've got a whole weekend off and a wad of money in your back pocket – which country would you head to and why?

Paris. When you go there you understand why it has its reputation. The architecture is extremely beautiful!

What's your favourite UK city/place and why is it special to you?

Edinburgh. I once spent a wonderful month up there and I love the way there is something for the youth and something for older people. It is another city which is extremely beautiful!

What's your most memorable show or performance and why?

Crazy For You. It was very similar to one of those special MGM musicals – but on the stage and performing in it was very special to me.

Do you have a favourite venue or destination when touring with your shows?

I do love the concert halls like the Symphony Hall. Audience wise, everyone has a good seat and it has great acoustics.

If you had to sing a duet with anyone past of present – who would that be and why?

Gary Barlow. I think he is the bees knees! His contribution to music is enormous and he is a wonderful role model.

* Ruthie Henshall is joined by leading West End artists for The Sound of Musicals at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on Sunday, November 4 at 3pm. Performing alongside the London Concert Orchestra, songs from a number of classic shows will feature including My Fair Lady, Oliver!, West Side Story, Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. For tickets call the box office on 0121 345 0603, visit www.thsh.co.uk or visit www.raymondgubbay.co.uk

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