West end star takes musical role

Television and West End stage star, Claire Sweeney, is the latest in a long line of celebrities to take the starring role in Tell Me On A Sunday.

She will bring the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black masterpiece to the Palace Theatre, Newark, on Tuesday, September 14, and Lincoln Theatre Royal on Friday, October 1.

This one-woman show was conceived for television and starred Marti Webb.

Since then it has been performed by stars including Elaine Paige, Sarah Brightman and Denise Van Outen.

The new production — which features the chart-topper Take That Look Off Your Face, Unexpected Song and the title track, Tell Me On A Sunday — has been remodelled for Claire by Lloyd Webber and Black.

It features an exclusive new song called I Still Believe in Love.

Claire said: “I am very excited about the whole show as I have wanted to do it for such a long time.

“The show was offered to me before but the timing was not right. This time, when I was asked if I would do the show, the timing was just perfect.

“It has taken me weeks and weeks to learn as it features 28 songs.

“I have decided to play the role very similar to myself so the character is truthful and believeable and I look forward to performing the new song in the show.”

The musical charts the romantic misadventures of a young English girl, newly- arrived in New York.

Brimming with optimism, she seeks success, companionship and, of course, love. But as she weaves her way through the maze of the city and her own anxieties, frustrations and heartaches, she begins to wonder whether, in fact, she’s been looking for love in all the wrong places.

Claire is well known for appearances on television shows such as Brookside, 60 Minute Makeover, Loose Women and My Big Fat Diet.

However, she always felt destined for the stage because she loved singing and dancing.

Influenced by the likes of Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, she knew showbusiness was for her.

Claire said she put on a lot of weight while filming My Big Fat Diet and had only just managed to lose it by following a diet and doing a lot of dancing.

She said: “I have been busy filming a comedy drama called Candy Cabs, which will be coming out soon, and after this tour, I will be starring in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs in Woking for Christmas. I only get a day off.”