(2016, April) Ruth Gillen played Nancy in Oliver!

What do you like most about the character you play?

The thing I love most about Nancy is her selflessness. She is always putting others before herself even at the risk of her own life. She is infectiously optimistic despite being in the most despairing of situations.

Nancy has a beautiful maternal quality which shines through when she meets Oliver. In the end he is her Achilles heel which transforms her into the tragic heroine of the story.

What have you enjoyed most about the rehearsal process?

I have loved developing the character of

Nancy, the relationship she has with other characters and in particular the relationship she has with Bill which is extremely complex.

At times it has been emotional and intense allowing Nancy in and feeling the pain she carries every day. However I feel the method approach we have taken in order to develop the characters has been extremely worthwhile and hopefully will enable a more raw and gritty performance on the night.

What has been the hardest thing to do when preparing for this role?

I think the hardest part for me has been the singing and dancing. Acting is innate for me but the singing and dancing are definitely out of my comfort zone and I have had to work hard to meet the high standards set by Philip and Allison.

It has been so wonderful having the opportunity to play Nancy and I have really thrown my heart and soul into every aspect of it. I just hope on the night I can make the audience fall in love with Nancy as much as I have.