SHE MAY be known to millions as one fifth of hit pop band Steps but Faye Tozer’s new role will have fans looking at her in a whole new light.
Having carved out a career as a successful stage actress, Tozer is no stranger to the world of musicals having recently finished her tenth show playing Hollywood starlet Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain.
But her latest part will see her transformed into dominatrix Christina Black in 69 Shades of Black – a new spoof sending up the popular 59 Shades of Grey series. Even bandmate Ian ‘H’ Watkins has said seeing Tozer dressed up as the man-eating executive is enough to turn him straight.
But how much of Black does Tozer see in herself?
“I don’t know if I should answer that,” she joked.
“In 69 Shades, Christina does have the upper hand and in terms of my relationship at home I wear the trousers but that’s the only similarity.”
So what attracted Tozer to a role which can be considered a significant departure from her theatre work to date?
“I had just finished a tour with Singin’ in the Rain and I was looking for something different as I’d be playing that 1930s movie star type of character for a while in different shows and this was an opportunity to get my teeth into something really different,” she told the Standard.
“I’ve never done comedy in this style before. The way the script reads it’s very slapstick and Carry On style with lots of double entendres – it’s great fun.”
For anyone who remembers Steps cheesy brand of infectious pop music, it is hard to believe Tozer turns 40 this year. But she said she is enjoying getting older, from a career perspective at least.
“Now I’m getting older and wiser I’ve getting some more interesting roles and not just the pretty blonde one,” she said.
“I trained as a dancer and fell into singing. I wanted to go into musical theatre but Steps came first. I’ve been in the business a long time and I’ve been very, very lucky.”
When the show finishes its run in June, Tozer hopes to take a well earned break and return to being a full-time mum to six-year-old Benjamin for a few weeks.
But following their 2012 reunion comeback, Tozer hasn’t ruled out the next time we see her will be as part of a reformed Steps.
“We’re always talking about when we should do it and when’s a good time as it’s such a big machine to get moving again and a massive decision for everybody as well to drop what they’re doing, but it’s not over. We would still say we’re from Steps, we haven’t disbanded we are just lying dormant.”
* 69 Shades of Black is coming to the Palace Theatre in Redditch on Thursday, April 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £22 or £20 concessions and are available by calling the box office on 01527 65203.
