Tamzin Outhwaite: 'I Try To Do That Thing That Charity Does...'

In a story in the UK's Times Online, actress Tamzin Outhwaite, currently playing 'Charity Hope Valentine' in Menier's revival of 'Sweet Charity', discusses how she handles the pressure of portraying the lead, her post-EastEnders success, and what her future plans may hold. 

On the pressures of the industry, Outhwaite says, "What I tried to do is become Charity in this situation and take everything as a positive," she confides in her distinctive voice, warm and gravelly, but nothing too Mariella Frostrup, still highlighting her Essex roots. "It's easy to get down on yourself in this situation, especially around press night, or when you're wondering if you'll get a transfer, and it's a pressured thing when you play the lead character - you have a responsibility. But I try to do that thing that Charity does."

Outhwaite, who also appeared in the classic series EastEnders also talks about the success she has experienced post-television show."I just know what my market is," she says later, and it seems more like resignation than a business plan. When we discuss Dominic Savage's Out of Control (2002) - the searing BBC drama for which Outhwaite won plaudits as a mum whose son is tragically off the rails - she describes it as "the performance, possibly, of a lifetime, because roles like that don't come along very often - not for me. Actresses like Maxine Peake and Anne-Marie Duff get to do that a lot, and I get to do more commercial stuff". So you don't control your market? "If it's a choice between doing stuff with Dominic Savage or the lead in a BBC1 series, I would always do the Savage - but those things don't come up very often, so my choices are more limited. And," she points out, still canny, "I'm starting to open doors in theatre, which I think I'll start to do more."

As for her endeavors once the run of 'Sweet Charity' ends, Outhwaite is surprising in her answer. When asked if she would consider taking on the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret (a part she once turned down), she says, " "I'm going to be 40 this year, and I'm under no illusions that I'll be kicking my legs up for much longer!" And then: "I'm not versatile enough to play every character: not vocally, not dance-wise, not acting-wise..."

To read the rest of the story in The Times Online, click here.

Tamzin Outhwaite's previous stage credits include Matthew Warchus' critically acclaimed production of Boeing-Boeing at the Comedy Theatre, Breathing Corpses and Flesh Wound for the Royal Court, Oliver at the London Palladium and Baby on Board, Absent Friends and They're Playing Our Song, all for Alan Ayckbourn at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough. She is known on television for her roles in Red Cap, Hustle, Frances Tuesday, Hotel Babylon and EastEnders. She can currently be seen in the ITV1 drama The Fixer and will also shortly be seen in the new BBC One drama Paradox. Her film work includes Cassandra's Dream by Woody Allen co-starring Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell, Back Waters and the award-winning Out of Control.

The Menier's production of Sweet Charity is set to transfer to the Theatre Royal Haymarket where it will open on 23 April 2010 and is currently booking until 8 January 2011. Further casting will be announced shortly.

For more information, visit www.sweetcharitywestend.com

Photo Credit: Gemma Mount

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