Holby City actor comes to Llandudno for latest play

Apr 2 2009 by David Simister, North Wales Weekly News

TV star Steve Houghton says he is looking forward to a fiery performance when he plays his latest lead role in Llandudno later this week.

The Sheffield actor, best known for his role as firefighter Gregg Blake in 1990s ITV drama London’s Burning, arrived to Venue Cymru this week in his latest role in the hit musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

“It’s a really popular musical that appeals right across the board, and even if you don’t know the storyline, chances are you’ll know the songs,” he said.

“We’ve been performing it since last July, and at every show we’ve always had the audience cheering at the end, and I think that’s because it’s a play that is loved by everyone from young children right through to the old generation. It’s got a really sweet love story plot, lots of dancing, and plenty of songs that are loved by so many. It’s got everything.”

The storyline follows simplistic lumberjack Adam Pontipee, played by Mr Houghton, in his bid to find a bride, but new bride Milly discovers the ill-behaved ways of his six brothers and sets about turning them into gentlemen in a play known for its lively music and toe-tapping dance sequences.

At first, the brothers find it hard to change their long-founded rural lifestyles, but they soon realise that the only way they will be able to find brides of their own is to see life through Milly’s eyes, and eventually all six find girls they too like.

Mr Houghton, who can also count roles in BBC spy series BUGS, Doctors and Holby City among his many TV appearances, says that although playing the lead role of Adam in this fairy tale is a world away from his more serious roles, he is no stranger to the world of stage productions.

Alongside his Olivier-nominated performance of Keith Nicholson in Spend Spend Spend, Steven can count on more than two decades of experience with stage productions.

“Getting to play Chris in Miss Saigon was real tick in the box for me, as it’s a role I’ve always wanted to play, and getting a role in Cats was also something which I really enjoyed,” he adds.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is being shown at Venue Cymru until April 4, with ticket prices starting from £19.50. To find out more contact 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.uk