Bernie's in the mood for dancing show
For one Nolan sister, the Flashdance role really fits The Bill, says Maria Cusine
For one Nolan sister, the Flashdance role really fits The Bill, says Maria Cusine
Variety, they say, is the spice of life. And singer and actress Bernie Nolan knows all about that.She was the lead singer of the legendary Nolan Sisters, became one of the nation's best known actresses - first in Channel 4 soap Brookside and more recently police drama The Bill, and is also a star in musical theatre.
Now she's treading the boards again - this time, alongside soap star Bruno Langley, in Flashdance - The Musical.
And she says she is loving every minute of it.
"It's an amazing show," says Bernie, who plays Hannah Owens, mother of welder and dancer Alex.
"I'm having such a great time. We've had a great response from audiences so far"
"I think it's a great story and quite sad in places. But it really is great to be part of something new and fresh," says Bernie, whose theatre credits include Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers and Mum's the Word.
The 47-year-old first delved into the television acting world when she played hairdresser Diane Murray in Brookside back in 2000. After her character was killed off in 2002 she joined the cast of ITV1's police series The Bill as Sergeant Shelagh Murphy.
She was on the crime drama for three years - before leaving in one of the most explosive episodes ever, when her character realised her her lover Gabriel Kent, played by Todd Carry, was a twisted villain.
"The huge profile that TV give you is immense and I had some heavy storylines in The Bill," says the mother-of-one.
"I really enjoyed my time on the show and I adored the crew and cast. They were fantastic people.
"The Bill was a great challenge, but that's what I loved about it. When I left they said they wouldn't kill me off. It's been two and a half years since I left and I'm always willing to go back if the opportunity arises," she says.
Of course it was as one of the all-singing Nolans that Bernie first found fame.
The Irish singing sisters shot to fame in the early 1970s, and their hits included I'm in the Mood for Dancing and Don't Make Waves.
Most of them have continued to work in showbusiness, pursuing careers in acting, musical theatre, pantomime and touring.
Does Bernie think the Nolans will ever get back together? "No I don't," she says. "We had a great time and it was a great career and we got to see the world.
"The group was a big part of me, but I spent 21 years in it and I think that was long enough.
"I do miss my sisters, of course, but we do try to get together whenever we can.
"I've been a solo artist since 1994 and I love the independence of being my own boss," she adds.
"And I'm loving being back on stage. There really is nothing that can beat the buzz of getting a standing ovation," she says.
