‘I always harboured a wish to play in Hull and it’s come true’ – Coronation Street actor on taking to the stage in the city with fellow soap star

A Coronation Street couple of the past are appearing on stage in Hull in a brand new comedy.

Paula Wilcox, who played Elaine Jones (formerly Philippa Metcalfe) in the ITV soap, and Ian Bartholomew, who took the role of her abusive first husband, Geoff Metcalfe, are being reunited for To Have and To Hold, which opened at Hull Truck Theatre last week and is running until May 24. The pair play Florence and Jack who, after 60 years of marriage, have successfully mastered the fine art of bickering.

It is set in the picturesque village of Wetwang, in rural East Yorkshire, the play having been penned by Richard Bean, writer of international smash hit One Man, Two Guvnors, along with The Hypocrite and 71 Coltman Street. It has given the opportunity to Ian to fulfil a long-held wish of playing to a Hull audience – you can find out more in this Q&A session with the two lead actors below.

Paula

You played Elaine Jones in Coronation Street, who also was a mother to Tim who she had in 1972 with her husband Geoff Metcalfe, played by Ian Bartholomew. How has it been working with Ian again after all these years?

It was about four years ago that I first worked with Ian, on Coronation Street. We had about four scenes together, and he was brilliant. He still is! I can’t wait for you to see us – together again at last.

Where did you start your acting career?

I joined the National Youth Theatre in London while still at school. I had a good part in a new play by Peter Terson, and was talent spotted to audition for a new TV series. I got the part, Beryl in The Lovers for Granada Television, and I have been working ever since.

How has it been playing a character much older than yourself? Have you been inspired by anyone in your own life when creating the character of Florence?

Both my grannies died a long time ago, and I certainly remember how one in particular shared a characteristic with Florence. She used to get the grandchildren mixed up, and it was well known that she’d take a few goes at your name before she finally landed on the right one. I was ‘Pam-Pat, Paula’ for years.

Richard Bean’s writing is so spot on, though, that you feel you know the characters from the moment you start to read the play.

How do you see local audience responding to the play To Have and to Hold?

I hope the audience will respond as I did when I first read the script: I laughed aloud many times and wiped away a tear at others.

Ian

Are there any similarities between the characters Geoff, in Coronation Street, and the character of Jack in To Have and To Hold?

They’re both blokes who look a lot like me. Apart from that, no. Geoff was an unpleasant, obnoxious, lying, manipulative, misogynistic bully, and Jack isn’t.

He’s an ex-copper who’s long retired, decent, old, very ill and grumpy, but still sharp and emotionally connected to his family and his past. He gives Florence his wife a rough ride, but after 60 years of marriage, he still loves her deeply but doesn’t always know how to show it anymore.”

How will performing in To Have and to Hold change when you have an audience in front of you? Do you feed off a good audience?

The final ingredient of any play in the theatre is the audience. After all, that’s why actors do it, otherwise they’d just be shouting to themselves in empty rooms, and where’s the fun in that?

You must let the audience in and take them on a journey with you. They tell you when it’s funny, sad, exciting, or just plain dull. So, when you’re out there, for better or for worse, you ignore the audience at your peril.

And yes, a good audience will feed you right royally, but only if you’re giving them something just as good in return. It’s a two-way thing.

Have you ever performed in Hull before? How do you find it being in this city?

I’ve never performed here before, but I’ve been aware of Hull Truck since Mike Bradwell’s early days and always harboured a wish to play here. And my wish has come true!

It’s a lovely place to work, and I’m enjoying the city very much. I was born and brought up by the sea, so I’m looking forward to getting some time to dive into the maritime history of the town and its people.

What advice would you give to new actors wanting to enter the industry?

Don’t! No, not really. I’d say, ‘Remember to have fun, be kind, generous and respectful, everyone has their story to tell’. And while you should take the work seriously, never, ever take yourself seriously, for that way madness lies. Oh yeah, and look after your teeth.

To Have and To Hold is running until Saturday, May 24, with tickets on sale now.