EXC: Kimberley Walsh heaps praise on Cheryl for her ‘brilliant’ acting in 2:22
Kimberley Walsh has heaped praise on her former Girls Aloud bandmate Cheryl for her ‘brilliant’ West End acting debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story.
The singer, 41, revealed her close friend, 39, who is ‘really loving’ her latest job, approached her for some tips ahead of her first day at the Lyric Theatre in January.
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Kimberley said she felt like a ‘proud mother’ watching the Fight For This Love songstress in action.
She gushed: ‘It was so good. I hadn’t seen the play before, but I’d sort of been meaning to see it as a few people I knew had obviously been in it already and then Cheryl said she was doing it.
‘I was like, “Brilliant, now I’m actually going to get to see it.” But she was so good. I was literally back there like a proud mother and also kind of shocked that that’s her first proper acting role. It’s a huge part.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘I feel like a proud mother!’ Kimberley Walsh has heaped praise on her former Girls Aloud bandmate Cheryl for her ‘brilliant’ West End acting debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story
Talented: The singer, 41, revealed her close friend, 39, (pictured in February) approached her for some tips ahead of her first day in January
‘I think sometimes if you’ve not seen the show, you might think that it’s a bit of a cameo because they keep bringing in different people to fill that part, but actually it’s a massive role.
‘She really got to show off what she’s capable of, I think. Very proud.’
Kimberley, who has trodden the boards in West End musicals Shrek, Elf, Big and Sleepless, was the perfect mentor for Cheryl – who had never taken on a major acting role before the supernatural thriller.
She said: ‘We’ve definitely been chatting tips about all the logistics and stuff because if you’ve never been in that theatre world, it is quite different.
‘I think I’m one of the few people around her that knows exactly what that’s like, the eight shows a week and logistics of sorting obviously the kids out and everything is very all-consuming.
‘I think she’s really loving it and loving being part of a theatre family because the theatre crew are always the loveliest people and she’s like, “I just can’t believe how many amazing, lovely people that I get to work with every day.”‘
Cheryl fronts the play in the leading role of Jenny, taking over from former star Laura Whitmore, who becomes convinced her house is haunted by a supernatural spirit.
When asked if she would consider taking on the part herself in the future, Kimberley replied: ‘Oh, I’d never thought about that actually.
‘It’s a brilliant part, but I do feel like it’s always a bit weird if you follow a part of somebody that’s that close to you.
‘So yeah, probably not just for that reason. And also I’d be a bit like… it’d be hard for me to sort of separate myself from it now, I think, and do my own version.’
Old friends: Kimberley (left) and Nicola Roberts (right) ensured to support Cheryl (centre) in the front row during the press night for 2:22 A Ghost Story (pictured in February)
Cheryl wins rave reviews for performance in 2:22 A Ghost Story
She shocked her fans when she announced she would be the latest celebrity to take on the role of Jenny in West End play, 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Yet Cheryl’s move to acting appears to be paying off, judging by critical reviews for her press night performance.
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Claudia Connell praised Cheryl for her performance, saying: ‘As a sleep-deprived, stressed new mum Cheryl is excellent.’
She added: ‘Her movements on stage are less natural – rather stiff, in fact – and there are times when I miss some of her dialogue.
‘She also speaks with an irritating upward inflection where every statement sounds like a question.’
But despite this, Claudia said that Cheryl ‘rather holds her own in the performance’.
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Dominic Cavendish was full of praise for Cheryl, saying: ‘She proves a class act and – whisper it – is even the most understated player on stage.’
He adds: ‘But when it comes to the claws-out showdowns with Sam, the newbie actress is no novice, bringing something materially nay maritally real to the scenarios.’
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Rachel Halliburton gushed: ‘Cheryl transcends the fact that she arrives on stage pursued by celebrity glitter.’
She adds that the singer is ‘both funny and down to earth as Jenny’ and that she ‘proves herself more than able to ride the emotional rollercoaster.’
Rachel concludes: ‘Cheryl emerges from the ectoplasm with more than the ghost of a chance of taking her stage career further.’
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Arifa Akbar says: ‘Cheryl convincingly plays rattled new mother Jenny’ but adds that co-star Jack Wood ‘is the play’s strongest link.’
She adds: ‘As her own X Factor moment, it is respectable enough for a first go, if blunt-edged: big on volume and sudden, thunderous anger.’
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Nick Curtis calls Cheryl a ‘sensational event, in every sense’ asking: ‘But is Cheryl any good?’ before adding: ‘Actually, yes: certainly good enough to bring a new crowd to this superior, remorselessly effective spine-chiller.’
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Alex Wood says: ‘As for Cheryl, it’s safe to say she puts in an assured debut – sure, sometimes intonation wavers, while her angry outburst can occasionally feel unexpected and one-note (then again, so do most outbursts from those suffering from sleep-deprivation).
‘For the most part, it’ll be a turn that few critics will find major fault with.’
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Andrzej Lukowski says: ‘Pop star Cheryl puts in a perfectly solid acting performance in the latest iteration of the durable West End chiller.’
He adds: ‘The bottom line is she can act enough,’ but that it is not ‘a show-stopping turn’.
He continues: ‘This isn’t an inept or embarrassing performance from Cheryl. She struggles to project times, and the shouty bits feel a bit forced.
‘But she nails her lines, has good comic timing, and generally does her bit supporting the architecture of Robins’s play.’
Cheryl was brought to tears during the press night for 2:22 A Ghost Story as she received a standing ovation following her performance.
Kimberley and Nicola Roberts, 37, ensured to support her in the front row and were bursting with pride for the star.
Following a flawless performance, a source in the audience told MailOnline: ‘Tears could be seen rolling down Cheryl’s cheeks during the curtain call, in which the cast received a standing ovation.
They added: ‘Right at the front cheering her on were her Girls Aloud bandmates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts, alongside Lauren Silverman. There wasn’t a single hiccup during the performance.
‘She’s certainly proven herself worthy of the role, after surprising fans with the unexpected career move,’ concluded the source.
Elsewhere, Kimberley has partnered with McCain to launch ‘Teatime to Talk’ conversation cards, after research revealed emotional strain caused by the cost-of-living crisis has left some families struggling to connect.
Voiced by Kimberley, each card has been crafted with leading UK child psychologist Dr. Laverne Antrobus to ensure they work for all families, no matter their age or ability – posing intriguing, amusing and even unexpected questions.
She said of her latest venture: ‘I’m thrilled to be working with McCain as part of its Teatime to Talk campaign.
‘I think the conversation cards we’ve created are a brilliant way to kick-start some teatime conversations in any family and I can’t wait to try them out with own my kids too!’
‘Teatime to Talk’ conversation cards are available to view or download for free from McCain’s website (www.McCain.co.uk) and via all major streaming platforms.
Good initiative: Elsewhere, Kimberley has partnered with McCain to launch ‘Teatime to Talk’ conversation cards, after research revealed emotional strain caused by the cost-of-living crisis has left some families struggling to connect