SEXY GEMMA’S PLAYING AT MURDER

Friday, September 25, 2009, 10:44
Interviews
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ESP_Gemma_Bissix_5060 Don’t miss your chance to catch gorgeous TV star Gemma Bissix up close in the intimate setting of Peterborough’s Key Theatre in The Game of Murder.

ESP caught up with Gemma as she was about to take to the stage for the first performance of the thriller at The Keyand she was very excited about this new touring production which also stars Emmerdale’s Charlie Kemp.

“When I saw the theatre today I thought it was brilliant. Not having a circle and having the audience so close to you, I love that intimacy. If you can engage an audience that’s the biggest thrill.”

Sexy Gemma’s bound to be a popular draw for the show having attracted loads of fans when she returned to Eastenders all grown up and caused havoc in Albert Square as Clare Bates (who can forget the Ian Beale seduction scene…?!) and before that she upset just about everyone in teen soap Hollyoaks as scheming Clare Devine. Now she’s touring the country with suspense-filled thriller The Game of Murder and is enjoying every minute of it.

“Acting on stage for me is a lot more nerve wracking and a lot more hard work because every day something can go wrong. With TV it’s easier in a way, because if you forget your lines you can do it again, there’s no real pressure. But I’m loving it , every day I’m really enjoying everything I’m doing.”

So, what’s the play about? Well, when Mark Brown appears on the doorstep of Perry James’ elegant house near Brighton along with his mute friend Billy The Game of Murder is about to begin. Perry is having an affair with Ellen, the sister of his actress wife Anne Marriott. He is desperate to be free of Anne’s manipulative and vindictive ways and to start a new life with Ellen. Mark offers to get rid of Anne once and for all but Perry dismisses Mark as deranged and deluded. However when Anne mysteriously disappears Perry begins to wonder how the ‘Game’ will end.

Two years later ‘Anne’ begins to appear again haunting Perry and Ellen everywhere they go in their new life. When Billy arrives at their house in a terrible state Perry and Ellen take him in and look after him not knowing that his arrival is the last throw of the dice in the ‘Game’.

But will Perry dare to play the final moves of the ‘Game’ or has he already sealed his own fate when he dealt the first hand?

“It’s a great production,” Gemma told ESP, “it’s a thriller so very kind of ‘who dunnit’ but also very deep, you have to pay attention.

“The cast is amazing and we make the best of a really great script and even now I love watching the scenes I’m not in, I just find it fascinating.”

Gemma enjoyed a short spell on Dancing on Ice but is now glued to Strictly Come Dancing supporting fellow former Hollyoaks stars Ali Bastian (Becca Dean) and Ricky Whittle (Calvin Valentine). Gemma says she’s not planning on joining them!

“I’ve done my reality TV show – I loved Dancing on Ice but I wasn’t very good. Ricky and Ali are drama and dance trained and both look great on the show. I’m just a drama actress really and both Hollyoaks and Eastenders have been left open ended so you never know…!”

Catch Gemma in The Game of Murder up until Saturday September 26 at The Key Theatre, tickets are £19 (£16 concessions) for Friday’s performance, £16 (£13 concessions) for the Saturday matinee at 2.30pm and £19 (£16 concessions) for Saturday night’s final performance at 7.30pm – don’t miss it!
Book now on 01733 207239.

(Photos: Terry Harris)

Tags: Eastenders, Gemma Bissix, Hollyoaks, Key Theatre

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