AIL Meets Carley Stenson

We talked to former Hollyoaks star Carley Stenson about her current role in Spamalot on the West End.

After spending nearly a decade playing the character of Steph Dean in Hollyoaks, Carley Stenson brought her singing and dancing skills to London and the West End. Having performed in Legally Blonde: The Musical and Shrek The Musical she is currently appearing as The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot at The Playhouse Theatre. We caught up with Carley to talk Monty Python, acting ambitions and moving on from Hollyoaks.

Can we just say that in our humble opinion, your era of Hollyoaks was a golden one. The Max and Steph storyline was epic. We were big fans.

Aw thank you! It was a good era ;)

A lot of people will know you for your role as Steph in Hollyoaks but you have had a lot of experience on the stage since then (and before). How does Spamalot as an outright comedy compare to the likes of Legally Blonde and Shrek the Musical?

Being in Spamalot is not too dissimilar to being in Legally Blonde and Shrek. The audience have come for comedy relief and escapism. They are on your side because they know what to expect and it is fun. The differences are that the audiences are usually older here with a more mature feel. They get the laughs because they remember everything to do with Monty Python. This feels like an adult version of Shrek! The laughs are bigger! Once we get going it's like being in a big adult playground with silly jokes and outrageous gags flying everywhere.

Were you a big fan of Monty Python before doing the show?

I do love watching the Life of Brian.

For those who haven't seen the show, what should they be expecting if they plan to come along?

This show will make you laugh constantly. You will feel free from your daily burdens. It's clever, witty and very, very funny.

You spent roughly a decade playing Steph in Hollyoaks. How did it feel to make the move to London? Are you enjoying the city?

The move to London had been planned for months but I literally had a Sunday to do it! Luckily I had a lot of help. I guess because it was so quick and I was moving in with my best friend I didn't have chance to feel too daunted. I'm possibly too laid back to panic ;) It was exciting and all sooo quick! I plan to move home up north but London is a fantastic city. There is something for everyone. It's fast and it's filled with surprises.

Do you have plans for when your run as Lady of the Lake in Spamalot ends? Are there any ambitions to go back to television?

I would love to go back into television. I am just going to move back home and audition like crazy.

If there was any role you could make your own with the blink of an eye what would it be?

I would have loved to have played Eva Peron amongst many of the other great roles that are out there ;)

Now, we always ask some London-centric quick fire questions of our interviewees. So here goes…

Favourite thing about London?

You can walk a different way to your usual route in London and find something new or a place you've never seen and love it!

Worst thing about London?

I hate not being able to park anywhere or drive further than a mile in ten minutes.

Favourite London landmark?

I love walking over Westminster Bridge to work. Seeing that view is amazing! I'm so lucky it's part of my job. Takes my breath away every time and I still pinch myself.

Song that reminds you most of London?

I guess it will have to be the John Mayer album. I played it all over my first summer here. When that album comes on now I picture what I was looking at in those days. I loved those lazy days on the park round the corner from work.

Best place to dance in London?

I love (dare I say it) the White Horse and Freedom! Ha-ha, you can take the northerner out of the north ;) It's laid back and not too fancy and you can really let your hair down and party with your friends!! I like fancy clubs too but you can't relax as much in there and not worry about people watching. Give me a pub with great music any day.

Best place to eat in London?

I love eating in Bills in Covent Garden and Port on the Strand. Of course Joe Allen's too.

Most romantic place in London?

Me and my man's favourite place to go and chill and take it all in is Paramount Bar at the top of Centre Point by Tottenham Court Road tube. It's got 360-degree views and relaxing chairs by the window with a cocktail in hand is perfect. Other than that, taking a stroll down the South Bank is lovely.

And finally, do you have any secret London gems that most people don't know about?

Not too much of a secret but I LOVE going to the Tower of London. Appreciating that again at an older age now I'm living here makes you really value your own London experience.