Actress Natalie Casey, best known for her role as Donna Henshaw in the BBC sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, has spoken about the possibility of a reunion as the show marks 25 years since it first aired.
The Lancashire-born actress starred alongside Sheridan Smith, Will Mellor, Ralf Little and Kathryn Drysdale in the much-loved comedy about a group of friends navigating love, life, and unemployment. Since the show ended in 2011, the 46-year-old, who lives in south London with her husband of 15 years, fellow actor Paul Kemp, has focused on theatre, appearing in productions such as Legally Blonde, 9 To 5 and 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Could Two Pints return?
Asked whether she would consider a reunion, Casey said: "I think it was an iconic piece of television. Nostalgia is a toxic impulse, but we could do something exciting with it. And if everybody involved wants to do it, of course I would, because I loved working with them all. If the stars align, I'd love to. If they don't, that's cool. But it was a magical part of my life. I love us as a group forever and ever, and it would be amazing."
Casey explained that her move to theatre rather than TV was a conscious decision. "Firstly, I don't like getting up at five o'clock in the morning. I am not a morning person. But doing theatre also expands your ability to tell stories. That's why I got into acting. There's also nothing like the live nature of it. And you always know straight away if you suck, as people won't clap, that's it!"
Life on stage and family
Comparing the two genres, she said: "It's the immediacy of that connection in theatre, that is what really drives me, and it separates the men from the boys, honestly. It really does because consistency is key. Doing something eight times a week is hard. I honestly believe you could get anyone to do a performance and make it passable, but doing it eight times a week? That's the mark of professionalism."
On balancing work and family life, Casey admitted it is difficult being away from loved ones. "It's hard, yes – but that's like any job. At some point, everybody hates their day job, right? And it is difficult being away from your family. But it's not working down a coal mine and it's not working at Great Ormond Street. There are way more important jobs out there."
She added: "There's a lack of humanity in the world at the moment, and I feel very privileged that I have a job where I can explore my own humanity. That relationship between a performer and the audience can be magical. So, that's what keeps me going whenever I suddenly think, 'Ahh, I miss my husband!' or 'I want a nine-layer bougie drink!' I just think about that special connection I can create with the audience."
Romeo & Juliet and Russell Kane
Casey is currently starring in a new stage adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, with rehearsals progressing well. "It's all gone exactly to plan. This is where everything starts to get put together. It's always my favourite week, the third week. The first week is just sitting around talking about our feelings and that, the second week is like you start doing some scenes, and the third week, you start putting it all together, so we're starting to see the actual shape of it. It's very exciting."
The production has aged up the title characters, who were originally 13 or 14. "Yeah, they were originally 13 or 14, that in of itself is a symbol of their purity and their innocence, and I think that was always the case. I think ageing Romeo and Juliet up to their forties will be done more after this. The innocence comes from their unrequited love, I believe."
Comedian Russell Kane plays Romeo. Casey said: "I know comedians, and to me, it seems like the hardest job in the world, to be standing solitary on a stage with people shouting things at you. It's amazing to be in the presence of someone who is naturally funny at all times, and to see the imagination that comes with that, but also his dedication to actually wanting to work hard."
Romeo & Juliet runs at New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until 10 October. Tickets are available at newvictheatre.org.uk.
