Ex-Eastender brings hard-hitting one-woman play to Mansfield

Written by Nottingham playwright Amanda Whittington, the monologue tells the real-life story of a Mansfield nurse who is drawn into the world of home-made pornography as she attempts to boost the income of her low paid job.

Lucy describes Amateur Girl as ‘a show for us all’ because it is basically a story about a human being.

She said that as soon as she read the script, she knew it was something that she wanted to do - even with the difficulties of going on a national tour while having a 21-month-old daughter to look after!

“I had worked with Amanda Whittington when she first started out in a play called Be My Baby and she writes beautiful stories about amazing people,” said Lucy.

“She writes characters really well which is a gift for an actor to do.”

Lucy said that taking on the one-woman show has been ‘terrifying’, and describes her character Julie as someone ‘who you have to admire and like’ as she embarks on her new ‘career’ looking for some excitement and spare cash.

“She’s really a survivor. She doesn’t feel sorry for herself and at no point is she a victim, though the audience will decide whether she is or she isn’t,” she said.

But crucially no judgement is passed on Julie’s actions as the audience simply hears her own thoughts and feelings.

“It’s not saying it’s wrong, right, good, bad and that’s why the audience engage with it so much - they laugh and cry for her and find the bits that resonate with them,” said Lucy.

Amateur Girl is on at Create Theatre on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th March.

Tickets are available at www.createtheatre.co.uk or by calling Mansfield 413363.

They cost £11, £8 for concessions and £5 for students.

The show is only suitable for ages 16+ due to the subject matter.