A group of London Transport bus mechanics set out on a frantic bus-ride of a lifetime through France, Switzerland, Italy and Greece. They’re joined by pop starlet 'Bobby' (Suzanne Shaw) who, disguised as a boy, has run away from her showbiz lifestyle. Chased by her domineering mother, (Aimi MacDonald) and her agent (Christopher Biggins) Bobby hitches a ride with the unknowing gang of holidaymakers on their double-decker London bus. Romance blossoms when Bobby reveals her true identity and falls for her bachelor boy, Don (Darren Day)

 Suzanne took a few minutes out of her gruling scheduale to have a chat to us about the tour, Hear’Say and that big Red Bus!

 After leaving Hear’Say Suzanne decided that she should Take some time off and went in the studio to do some recording. Then the job offer came up to take part in Summer Holiday, she thought it would be good to work again as she was bored at home, so took on the part of Bobby!

 Nowt2Do: Did being in Hear’Say help you performance at all?

Suzanne Shaw: “Hear’Say was a short part of what I did, I trained beforehand and trained a lot, so what Hear’Say gave me wasn’t what I needed for musical theatre, but in the band you were part of a group of 5 now its just me so I can be myself.”

N2D: Is there a difference in playing huge 30,000 seater concert halls compared to intimate theatres?

SS: “You get a similar reaction, its nice to perform to a small crowd, people want to watch the performance see the story rather than scream over all the singing.”

N2D: So would you consider doing it full time?

SS: “I love doing it, but I want to try out all different things, I might return to it in the future but I don’t know what’s coming next.”

N2D: Where is your favourite performance venue so far?

SS: “Well we’ve performed everywhere, but my fave has gotta be Manchester as its my home town.”

N2D: Are you looking forward to visiting Bristol?

SS: “I’m loving the fact that I’m coming to Bristol, the show is going to have a real party atmosphere as it’s coming to the end of the tour. I’ve been to Bristol before with Hear’Say and can’t wait to come back.”

N2D: So have you performed in any other musicals?

SS: “Well I’ve done musicals all my life! My first real performance was as Mollie when I was 5 in Annie, so musical theatre has always been in my blood.”

N2D: What do you think of reality TV since you started the craze with Popstars?

SS: “Reality TV is getting a bit out of hand now, we started that craze and I hope that we get to see some light entertainment again at some point.”

N2D: How’s the rest of the cast treating you?

SS: “I really love working with the cast, Christopher Biggins is a legend I love working with him. Darren is great really knows what he’s doing.”

N2D: So how does this show compare to the original which visited in 1998?

SS: “This production is completely different from the original, there is more cast involvement, a new script and new songs, it’s a great laugh.”

N2D: Does it compare to being in Hear’Say performing?

SS: “Well, you get a different reaction, and when people cheer and clap and the end you really feel like you have deserved it.”

N2D: What other musicals do you like?

SS: “I love Chicago and Blood Brothers, It’d be great to play Roxie in Chicago at some point, but our dancing is so simple compared to Chicago though. If I were to be in another show I’d probably go for Chicago or Saturday Night Fever, playing Roxie would be such a challenge I’d love to do that, but I’m not really a Les Mis person!”

N2D: Katy Stephens in Ramsgate has asked a question to ask you, it is If you could interview anyone who would it be and what would you say?

SS: “God that’s really difficult I’d ask Madonna if she ever just veggies out and eats chocolate all day”

N2D: Another one of you fans asked us to find out if you find it strange with all your groupies asking for autographs?

SS: Its one of the most amazing things that this job does, to see my fans and see them wait for hours at the stage door and see how happy they are when I sign something for them, its really important they are so loyal and I owe my fame to them. They stick by you and all it takes is 2 minutes to say hello and thank you for supporting me, it’s nothing for them. They make the job worthwhile.”

N2D: Maya Goodfellow wanted to know what your most embarrassing moment has been on the tour so far?

SS: “Oh that’s easy! It was me falling up the steps and really hurting myself is the funniest thing so far…and most painful!”

N2D:Katy Stephens is being nice and random, she wants to know what your favourite pizza topping is?

SS: “Hawaiian…yummy!”

N2D: Sarah Gray has sent a plethora of questions, so here goes! Which is better a Biro or a Fountain Pen?

SS: “Biro”

N2D: What is your favourite vegetable?

SS: “A Parsnip”

N2D: Do you ware marigolds when washing up or not?

SS: “Nope naked hands!”

N2D: Are you going to get your dog Stella a studded collar?

SS: “I’m going to get Stella a studded collar defiantly!, not matching ones however! I’d like a little black diamante collar, she’s so cute. She’s been on tour with me, she’s more popular than me.”

N2D: What did you want to be when you were younger?

SS: “When I was younger I wanted to be Madonna, I’m not there yet, but the greatest thing is that I can be Suzanne Shaw and that’s who I want to be”

N2D: What is the best night of the tour so far?

SS: “Stefan’s last night it was emotional but such a great performance.”

N2D: Karl Bough wanted to know if did school or university ever appeal to you?

SS: Nope! I couldn’t do things academically I decided that performing was my future so worked hard at it. I’ve never wanted anything else, never thought about anything else apart from being a performer. I’ve still got a lot to prove and a lot of things to do. I’m going to have a single out soon and I might even reinvent myself. I’m taking my time and just enjoying myself at the moment. I want to be myself and do it my own way in my own time.”

N2D: Finally then a Double Decker or single?

SS: “Double all the way!”

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