Josie gets set for her Lyceum debut with Nativity: The Musical
Josie Hackett admits that she had dreamed of being an actor for a long time…but it was only five years ago, as she reached her 50th birthday, that she decided to make that dream a reality.
She joined Footsteps Theatre in Beighton and since then has appeared in a range of shows from pantomime to Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods.
Now she is about to take on her biggest challenge to date as she steps onto Sheffield’s iconic Lyceum Theatre stage with a lead role in the STOS Theatre Company production of family-friendly Festive Hit Nativity: The Musical.
And the part of harassed head teacher Mrs Bevan is one that at least allows her to call on real experience as Josie is herself a teacher and private tutor.
“I saw a STOS advert on Facebook and I just thought I’d go along and see how it went, not really thinking I’d get anything,” she admits.
“When I was offered the part of Mrs Bevan I couldn’t believe it and I have been on a bit of a rollercoaster with my confidence ever since because I have felt a bit of an imposter.
“I’ve only been acting for five years and here I am at the Lyceum - and I can’t quite believe it!
“I’m very excited and also just a little bit scared but everybody at STOS has been lovely and they’ve said that if I wasn’t good enough I wouldn’t be up there.”
Even, though she is playing a teacher, however, Josie doesn’t actually spend much time with the cast of almost 50 children who plays the pupils of Christmas rivals St Bernadette’s School and Oakmoor.
“I address them at the beginning but after that I don’t have loads to do with them,” she says.
“Mrs Bevan’s an interesting character to play because you think at first she’s a firm but fair sort of head but there are all sorts of nuances to her from happy to exasperated, angry and then deeply emotional at the end when she shows how much she cares for the children of St Bernadette’s."
And as opening night approached on November 17 she says she can’t wait to discover the magic of being on the Lyceum stage.
“I visited the Lyceum a few weeks ago to see the musical Six and I remember sitting there and thinking I am going to be on that stage - and I can’t believe it.
“It’s something that from being a child I have wanted to do but now I’m 55 and I’m there and I’m loving it!”
Inspired by the 2009 movie hit, Nativity: The Musical features all the hits from the film - including Sparkle and Shine, Nazareth, One Night One Moment and She’s the Brightest Star - along with a whole host of new songs filled with the spirit of Christmas!
The STOS production is directed by Keeley Kilby, assisted by James Bell, with choreography by Katie Granger, musical direction by Dominic Ridler and production management by Rosie Choppin.
Just a handful of tickets are now available at www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/lyceum
For more information about STOS - including details of how to get involved - visit stos.org.uk