Strictly champion Joanne Clifton was so determined to play Morticia in musical comedy The Addams Household that she dressed the half for her audition – one thing that those that transfer in theatrical circles know it is best to by no means do.
Whereas a touch on the position is suitable, carrying the costume (and wig) of the character you might be hoping to play is a no-no.
“I like The Addams Household – I’ve seen the movies and grew up watching the black and white TV present – and I believed, I actually would love this position as a result of I choose musicals to performs, and I went to the audition dressed as Morticia,” stated Joanne, who followers of Strictly Come Dancing will know because the bubbly skilled dancer who lifted the glitterball with celeb Ore Oduba in 2016.
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“I even instructed the director I used to be determined to play her. I rang my agent after and instructed her I didn’t suppose I’d obtained the half,” stated the sister of one other former Strictly favorite, Kevin Clifton.
“I’ve obtained fairly a childlike voice and the director stated, ‘are you able to experiment along with your decrease vary?’ and so they had been deliberating whether or not I might play the mom of a youngster (the character Wednesday Addams) – I’m 38 however I do act youthful.
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“I simply thought, there’s no method I’ve obtained this, so once I obtained the decision a few hours later to say I’d gained the half, I collapsed on the ground.
“That very same day, I painted an image of Morticia. I’ve at all times executed a little bit of artwork – throughout lockdown I used to be portray stones and leaving them within the park – and my boyfriend purchased me a canvas and an easel.”
Grimsby-born Joanne has been portraying Morticia – “she’s the exact opposite of me” – since final autumn within the touring present of The Addams Household, which opens at Hull New Theatre on Tuesday, March 15, for a rescheduled five-night run.
“It’s so good, once I learn the script I believed it was hilarious.
(Picture: BBC)
“It’s such a humorous present with such an amazing solid – Cameron Blakely was born to play Gomez – however I’m Morticia and I’m not allowed to chuckle.
“There’s all this humorous stuff happening and I’ve to actually chew my cheek generally.”
Joanne, on a lunchtime break and conserving a “Costa sausage bun” tightly wrapped to maintain it heat till she completed chatting, has at all times gravitated in the direction of the stage since she was small nevertheless it was at all times “extra theatre than dance” for the performer.
Nonetheless, she had a “unbelievable” time showing on BBC1’s Strictly for 3 seasons.
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“The primary time I used to be on with Scott Mills and we obtained knocked out in week six, which was Halloween week, and right here’s the unusual factor, we carried out in that present as Morticia and Uncle Fester, “ stated Joanne, who now lives in London however whose mum and pa nonetheless stay in Grimsby.
“Within the second 12 months I used to be one of many pro-dancers not partnered with a star however I did win the Strictly Christmas particular with Harry Judd. Then I gained in 2016 with Ore.”
Joanne says it appeared the fitting time to go away the present, on a excessive observe, to discover extra dramatic pursuits the place she feels “extra at house”.
“My expertise of Strictly is that it actually is sort of a household. All of the pro-dancers know one another from the competitors world and there’s not this huge competitiveness between them, on the finish of the day we’re all paid the identical.
(Picture: Hull New Theatre)
“It’s undoubtedly, undoubtedly, laborious work. It was a tricky choice to go away and I do miss my pals however I’m happier on the stage,” stated Joanne, who was involving herself in issues like puppet workshops whereas she was on the Strictly journey.
“I’ve obtained again into musical theatre, working my method up from the underside,” stated Joanne. “My first present was in a little bit room above a pub with about 30 folks within the viewers and I wasn’t the primary character or something.”
One factor that’s not evident when Joanne is performing, both dancing or performing, is how a lot she struggles with arthritis.
“I’ve osteoarthritis in each knees,” she stated. “I used to be identified in 2015 however I believed I had it a very long time earlier than that. My knees had made plenty of bizarre noises for years and years.
(Picture: Hull New Theatre)
“I’ve been doing extra analysis into it – there’s this stigma about it being an outdated individual’s situation however youngsters as younger as two can undergo with it – and dealing with an organization that makes arthritis merchandise, and an arthritis charity.
“I used to be educating throughout lockdown and I’d have a mum say, thanks for the courses however my daughter has been identified with arthritis so she gained’t be capable to pursue a dancing profession.
“I’d say, that’s completely not the case, and I’m the residing proof of that. I’ve gained the world championships and Strictly with it.”
Joanne stated the place stage performances are “dance heavy” she’s going to work with the administrators to regulate strikes barely so they don’t trigger as a lot ache however nonetheless don’t detract from the routine.
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about, you simply must be open about it.
“If a stage is raked (at an angle) I can undergo extra and I can even really feel my knees when there’s a change within the climate.
“I’ve this actually lengthy scorching water bottle at house and I wrap it round my knees whereas I watch the telly.
“If I get up and really feel stiffer than traditional, I make sure that I heat up extra slowly and for longer.”
Joanne is wanting ahead to performing for her “house” viewers in Hull – “Grimsby’s solely simply throughout the river” – and expects a optimistic reception.
(Picture: Hull New Theatre)
“All the audiences for The Addams Household have been sensible. Everybody is aware of and loves all of the characters, we’ve had plenty of laughter all through the exhibits and plenty of standing ovations.
“Kevin’s been to see me – he’s seen me in all my exhibits – and he loves it. He stated he thinks it’s a actually good position for me,” stated Joanne, who is because of be a part of her brother in a Burn The Ground reunion tour in the summertime.
The Addams Household is on at Hull New Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, March 15 to 19, at 7.30pm nightly and at 2.30pm on the Thursday and Saturday.
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