Kym Marsh is set to captivate audiences in a thrilling new stage production of Single White Female. The former Coronation Street favourite brings star power and Lancashire charm to the cult classic, as she takes on a dramatic new role in the UK tour

'I think I'm in my villain era,' says Kym Marsh with a suitably wicked laugh. The former Coronation Street favourite is preparing to star in the world premiere of Single White Female, a stage adaptation of the cult 90s' movie, which is coming to Manchester and Blackpool. Kym will play Hedy the seemingly perfect flatmate who turns into the lodger from hell.

'This will be the third major role I've had recently where I've discovered my dark side,' says Kym, 'and I'm loving it. I played Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction and, last year, I was Cruella De Vil in 101 Dalmations. I discovered it's such fun to embrace the dark side. You are putting yourself in a completely different headspace.

'There are some characters you can instantly identify with, but I like to think that I'm nothing like Alex Forrest (the obsessed girlfriend who refuses to accept her affair with a married man is over) or Hedy either.

'I love crime dramas and true crime documentaries and trying to understand what is going on inside people's heads fascinates me. As for Hedy, I don’t want to give too much away but it's fair to say she’s a very complicated, complex human being. She's not necessarily had the life we might think she’s had when we first meet her.

' I think I'm in my villain era,' says Kym, who is preparing to play the lead role in the stage version of iconic film, Single White Female. (Image: Nick James)

'I think in her head she has her own ideals and views of how she wanted her life to turn out and perhaps it’s not necessarily gone that way. She wants love and wants to give love, but I think it's safe to say the way she goes about it is wrong. She’s a multi-layered human which is interesting to play. Oh, and she loves a stiletto.'

The idea of bringing Single White Female, the 1992 movie starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Hedy to the stage, has been in the pipeline for a while.

'After I played Alex Forrest in the stage version of Fatal Attraction, we started to have discussions about what potential other projects there might be and we came up with the idea of Single White Female because it had never been done before,' says Kym.

'The fact we're now about to do it is pretty special. I’m very excited about the whole prospect - what a show to be doing!'

From playing Michelle Connor in Coronation Street for 13 years to presenting BBC One’s Morning Live and taking part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, Kym has become one of the most popular faces on TV.

And she's relishing the challenge of being the first person to bring Hedy to the stage in Single White Female.

'It's brilliant for me to be the first person to play a role,' she says. 'It’s always lovely to play a new role because you can very much make that your own. I always think if I follow on from someone else, you’ve always got in your mind the person that did it before.'

Kym has played in numerous theatre roles, including as Beverly in Abigail's Party. (Image: Johan Persson)

Earlier this year Kym made her first appearance a Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre playing hostess Beverley Moss in Mike Leigh's bittersweet comedy Abigail's Party.

'I was very keen not to look at what Alison Steadman, who will always be associated with that role, did,' she said. 'I didn't want to imitate her in any way as that can immediately put you on the back foot.

'The same applies with Single White Female which is a totally new interpretation. Yes, it's based on the classic film but it's very much a reimagining. There are elements of the story that are the same, you kind of have to do that, but this is an updated version.'

Writer Rebecca Reid has introduced a contemporary spin with social media and themes such as ambition, identity and isolation all key elements in the production.

'For people who have seen, and love, the movie the essence is very much still the same.' says Kym. 'But the story is slightly changed - as well as being more up-to-date, it's based in the UK rather than being in America. So, there are differences, but the big, important, epic moments are still in there. And it’s very much still a thriller with a real shock factor. We want to have people on the edge of their seats.'

Single White Female will visit 21 venues across the UK with Kym being on the road until June.

‘That's my first half of the year sorted,' she laughed. 'Actually, the run ends on my 50th birthday; can you believe it? I'll be 50 when we're in Malvern, one of the quietest places in the country. There'll 100 per cent be a party that night although I think we might terrify everyone.'

Kym as Cruella de Vil in the musical adaptation of 101 Dalmation. Photo: (Image: Johan Persson)

For Kym, who grew up in Garswood, near St Helens and now lives near Warrington, being away from home is perhaps the real challenge of taking a new show on the road.

'I know I'll miss my family terribly,' she says. Kym has two grown-up children David and Emilie and a younger daughter Polly who is currently in year 10 at school.

'Then I've got my dogs as well but everyone is so supportive. I live opposite Emilie, she's literally across the road, so she'll be looking after them.

'That's the thing about touring - you just have to manage it. I've done it before, and I know what it's like. Plus, the great thing about the UK is that you're never that far away. There are lots of dates when I can stay at home and there's a little bit of a commute that’s fine.

'And there will be times when friends and family can come and see me. My brother and his wife are coming to see the show open in Brighton. And if I'm away when Polly's on a school break, she can some and stay with me. That'll be good as she's old enough now to actually watch the play.'

Kym has not stopped working since she auditioned for the TV show Popstars, 25 years ago, joining the band Hear’Say.

Kym with co star Oliver Farnworth in Fatal Attraction (Image: Supplied)

'I feel very fortunate and very lucky that I've been allowed to have the career that I've had and to have been received in the way that I have,' she said. 'I think maybe it's because I come across as a sincere individual. I've never tried to hide anything.

'I make mistakes and hold my hands up and I think that gives me a girl next door feel - perhaps everyone knows someone a bit like me.'

Although you'd hope that not everyone has experienced someone like some of her most recent characters including Hedy.

Single White Female is at Manchester Opera House from February 10 to 15 (www.atgtickets.com) and Blackpool Grand from February 17 to 21 (www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk)