Known best for her role as Tiffany Butcher in Eastenders, the young actress has stepped away from Albert Square into the dazzling lights of Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre to sparkle as Belle in their Beauty and the Beast Christmas panto.
With rehearsals only beginning at the start of November, Maisie was just getting to grips with the script when she sat down with us to share more about the role.
‘I can’t wait for the show to start. I’ve always loved panto and go every year,’ Maisie shares. ‘It’s great to finally have an opportunity to combine my love for performing with Christmas and comedy.
‘I’ve never done pantomime before,’ she reveals. ‘Not out of choice but lack of availability. This is the first year I’m free of prior entanglements so when the team in Canterbury asked if I was interested in the role, I leapt at the chance, especially as it’s just down the road from my family home in Southend.’
The actress is looking forward to spending some of the festive break here in Kent.
‘I’ll probably split my time between here and Essex this Christmas,’ Maisie says. ‘I’ve performed in Canterbury before and remember the drive back to Southend at 11 at night is quite taxing so I don’t want to do it every day but I’ll no doubt head home to spend Christmas Eve and Day with my family.’
Though Maisie may be hoping that they don’t come to visit her in return to sit among the show’s audience.
‘I don’t know why but somehow I’m always more nervous about going on stage when someone I know, and love is in the audience,’ she reveals. ‘I think it’s normal to have some anxiety before a show, but most of the time I can contain my nerves in front of an audience. However, if there’s even just one friend or distant relative in the audience, I suddenly feel sick and like there’s even more pressure.
‘It also energises and inspires you. In some of my previous theatre productions, we’ve performed eight shows a week which can be knackering. I’ve had some days where I’ve wondered how I’ll make it through the night, but then the lights go up, the audience cheers and it brings you back to life. It motivates you to improvise and try something different from the night before. Part of what makes stage acting so great is no two evenings are the same.
‘Both environments, on stage and on screen are unique and require a different approach. When filming you’re always trying to minimise action as the camera picks up on the slightest expression. Whereas in theatre, the audience won’t always notice the twinge in your smile, so your actions need to be larger and more obvious. I enjoy the versatility of both.’
‘Absolutely,’ Maisie answers. ‘Last year in my musical debut as Fran in Strictly Ballroom the Musical, I had to learn an Australian accent. By the end of the production, I spoke with the accent at home without realising, until my boyfriend pointed it out!
‘I think, on reflection, Fran was probably one of my favourite characters to play as she was a bit of an oaf, rather clumsy and somewhat nerdy. Plus, it was my first musical and exciting to try something new.’
‘Strictly was one of the most difficult yet fulfilling things I’ve ever done,’ Maisie shares. ‘At the time I was filming for Eastenders during the day and spent my evenings learning and rehearsing the dances.
‘I don't know how I juggled everything, but it was an amazing opportunity. I mean, not many people get to learn 10 different dances in two months!
‘The most surprising thing about my time on Strictly though came after, when I was offered the lead part in a musical by Craig Revel Horwood. It was the last thing I expected and even though he’s supposed to be the mean judge, after that, he’ll forever be in my good books!’
‘Watching it doesn’t even show 30 per cent of how tough it is,’ Maisie reveals. ‘Seriously, I think people assume as celebrities that they’re more lenient with us off camera, but it’s not true. We had to stand in silence during microphone checks and if we made the slightest noise, they’d tell us to jump in the ice bath and we could only get out when they permitted us.
‘No doubt it’s one of the most demanding things I’ve ever done and the most pain I’ve ever felt, both physically and mentally.
‘In one task we had to carry 20-kilogram bags on our backs while running up cliffs and through the desert. Many recruits overtook me and seemed to find it easy, while I struggled. Still, they never kicked me off the show and they said it was because even though, physically, I was one of the weakest in the group, mentally I was one of the strongest as I never stopped trying.
‘It was a truly empowering moment because it showed me how strong I am, and that’s something that will stay with me forever.’
Beauty and the Beast will be at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury from November 22 to January 12. Book tickets via the Box Office on 01227 787787 or online at marlowetheatre.com
