Coronation Street star Christine Mackie has been seen looking rather different to how she does on the famous cobbles as she takes on a dark new role alongside her real-life daughter.
Those who follow the ITV soap will know that the actress has been helping the Weatherfield residents who visit the Rosamund Street Medical Centre, having been playing Dr Susan Gaddas for more than 10 years, during which time her alter ego has become very popular with fans despite her only having a few scenes at a time.
Her first patient on the famous cobbles was back in 2014 when Max Turner was brought in by his parents, David and Kylie Platt, and she diagnosed ADHD. Shortly after, Beth Sutherland was a patient when she developed an allergic rash after trying one of Sinead Tinker's bath bombs.
Dark New Role in IRON
But away from her recurring role in Corrie, Christine has been revealed to be taking on a much darker role. She'll star in IRON, written by acclaimed Scottish playwright Rona Munro, alongside her daughter and Manchester-based actress Lois Mackie.
Christine will play Fay, who is serving a life sentence for murdering her husband with a kitchen knife. She is 15 years into her sentence when her daughter Josie (Lois) visits for the first time. Raised by her paternal grandmother and with no memory of her father or the crime, Josie seeks answers about her past.
According to the synopsis for the gripping psychological drama, through a series of prison visits, the two women attempt to reconnect; Fay is emotionally hardened by years of incarceration, while Josie is determined to uncover the reality of her childhood and the murder of her father.
Real-Life Mother and Daughter on Stage
First performed at The Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, in 2002, IRON then transferred to a sell-out run at The Royal Court in London, where it received critical acclaim and won the John Whiting Award. In this new staging of the play by Best Girl Productions, this will be the first time the roles of Fay and Josie are being played by a real-life mother and daughter, who are also playing alongside each other on stage for the very first time.
Meanwhile, playing the pivotal and supporting roles as the prison guards are Jamie Smelt (Northern Broadsides/Red Ladder/Brassic) and Ellaney Hayden (The Lowry/MIF/Casualty).
Tour Dates and Quotes
IRON opens its short North West Tour at HOME in Manchester on Tuesday, September 15 and runs until the 19, before it heads to Hull Truck (23 - 24 September) and concludes at The Dukes in Lancaster (September 30 to October 3).
Christine said: "IRON is so beautifully written and although it seems straightforward on the surface, it has hidden depths and all four characters, contained within the confines of the prison, have no choice but to confront the truth. I’m very excited about the show, the whole creative team is so talented and it’s a real privilege to work with my daughter Lois on stage for the very first time."
Lois added: "It has always been on my bucket list to act opposite my brilliant mother, and I couldn't be more thrilled that it will be on such a juicy bit of theatre as IRON. With the addition of such a talented cast and creative team, I think we're going to make something special. Rona Munro's characters are so complex, and they complement each other throughout the twists and turns of this story. It's an emotional rollercoaster and I can't wait to share it with you all!"
