It’s a big deal, playing the lead in Abigail’s Party, not only because it is one the most iconic plays ever, but also because Alison Steadman helped write her part with Mike Leigh back in the day. None of which fazes Hannah Waterman in the slightest as she prepares to step into some of the most notorious shoes in history. But then Hannah Waterman may be many things, notably a former soap star, great stage actress, new mother, tabloid fodder and now Beverley, but precious isn’t one of them. She can give as good as she gets, and having grown up with Dennis Waterman as a father, the 37-year-old knows how the industry works. Which means that instead of trembling in the wings, Hannah is having a brilliant time in rehearsals. “The hardest thing at the moment is not to laugh on stage, because it’s so hysterical and the whole cast are really funny. “But it is also the most exhausting part I’ve ever played, because Beverley drives this play from the moment she comes on stage, so it requires an incredible amount of energy, not just the acting part but the prop action as well, all that drink pouring,” she giggles, “so it’s knackering but great fun, and I’m ready for bed after every performance.”

As for looking the part Hannah says: “They have made me an incredible Farah Fawcett-style wig, because they didn’t think my And then Hannah regales me with a story about how she was in a spa recently listening to three women chatting away behind her and suddenly thought ‘Jesus Christ, there are three Beverleys in the room having a conversation around me, and I can’t escape,’ so she knows how Beverley’s guests must have felt. Didn’t growing up in the Waterman household prepare her for the part at all? “Well not really, because my parents were both actors so they were pretty liberal. They weren’t suburban, put it that way,” she laughed. “But I’ve had quite a few discussions with my dad about it because I was born later – in ’75 and this was written in ’77. So Beverley would have watched The Sweeney I suppose.” Known mainly for her part in EastEnders, as Ian Beale’s ill-fated wife Laura, Hannah’s own life descended into somewhat of a soap opera a few years ago when she left her fellow Albert Square husband, Ricky Groves, for The Bill star Huw Higginson, making her tabloid fodder for months, especially when they had a son together. But that’s all water under the bridge now and Hannah says: “I just ignore it, although we won’t let the media intrude into our son’s privacy, and are very protective of his rights. So we would sue if that line was crossed, because he’s a baby and should be left alone, But as for us we keep our heads down and just get on with our work. We aren’t very exciting these days,” she shrugs. New motherhood has certainly had a momentous affect on Hannah’s career however, not that she’s minded. “My son is 18 months now which has influenced a lot of my work decisions obviously. But I couldn’t say no to this. So my partner and I juggle parts, and everything else, and they will come with me where they can, so I’m never more than two weeks away, but it’s the classic working mother’s dilemma.” Delighted to be back in the theatre however, Hannah says the stage is where she feels most at home. “Although I worked for four years before EastEnders came along, it was the biggest thing on TV I had ever done. But soaps are a bit like a factory, and when I left I felt a strong pull to get back into the theatre, to feed my soul. “So I’ve been dipping in and out of TV since, but still find the theatre more rewarding and I’m always pleased to be doing it, especially when a really great play like this comes along.”

So back to Abigail. “Beverley,” Hannah corrects me, “but lots of people make that mistake,” the premise of the play being that Beverley is having a drinks party despite Abigail having one over the road. “My modus operandi is to be the hostess with the mostess and I’m constantly putting on a front. It’s bickering covered in politeness, so really English, and oh the awkwardness of the social situation really makes you cringe,” Hannah says, her hands flying to her mouth. “But the truth is that they are all such sad tragic characters, and massively frustrated and thwarted by their lot really.”

So it’s a bit dated then? “Not at all! Abigail’s Party still has such universal appeal, because it’s about so much more than the cheese-and-pineapple, shag-pile carpets and swirly wallpaper. Ultimately it’s a play about people and although I saw it once a long long time ago, and Alison Steadman is such an iconic character and a wonderful actress, I haven’t revisited it and won’t until afterwards, because this an entirely different cast and I want to make it my own.” One thing is for sure: Hannah would have given Beverley a run for her money!

* ABIGAIL’S PARTY runs at Oxford Playhouse from Monday January 28 to Saturday February 2. Ticket Office on 01865 305305 or book online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com