Michelle Collins Channels Welsh Heritage for Fringe Debut
Actress Michelle Collins is set to embrace her Welsh roots, finding inspiration in her family’s strong women as she prepares for a new theatrical venture. This marks a significant departure from her iconic role in “EastEnders,” promising a fresh chapter in her career.
A New Challenge
Michelle Collins, known for playing Cindy Beale in “EastEnders,” shared her excitement about a debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She anticipates that this experience will leave her “reenergised” for her return to the familiar “Walford” set.
Her upcoming one-woman show, “Motorhome Marilyn,” explores an aspiring actress’s obsession with Marilyn Monroe. Collins, a self-professed fan of the late performer, also praised her Welsh ancestry, highlighting the “really strong and matriarchal figures” in her family.
“When you go off and you do something else that really challenges you, you are really out of your comfort zone… And I think it’s really important, particularly me at my age, to feel a bit scared to do something out of our comfort zone.” #EastEnders star Michelle Collins talks about her new role https://t.co/0pW1mG0C3T
— BBC Radio Wales (@BBCRadioWales) May 30, 2024
“When you go off and you do something else that really challenges you, you are really out of your comfort zone,” she said.
—Michelle Collins
The actress, who revived her role as Cindy in 2023 after a 25-year absence, feels it is vital to embrace challenges, as this is what keeps her feeling motivated in her career. The UK theatre industry generated £1.44 billion in 2022, demonstrating its continued importance (Statista).
Welsh Inspiration
Collins’s new show originated from a brief encounter she had years ago in Los Angeles with someone dressed as Monroe. She finds the timing of this project perfect. The actress has also appeared in shows such as “Calendar Girls” and “Doctor Who.”
Collins explained her sense of connection to Wales stems from her mother, who grew up in Hopkinstown, Pontypridd. The family often visited relatives there during her childhood. She stated, “My mother was an incredibly strong woman and, you know I think I’m quite a strong woman and all the Welsh women I know are really strong… and matriarchal figures.”
