SPOTLIGHT ON... SALLY ROUSSEAU & SARAH WARD

A slightly different 'Spotlight On...' as we interviewed actors Sarah Ward and Sally Rousseau ahead of their upcoming, titivating production...

The Cast of The Asylum Players production of 'Calendar Girls' (c) Stephen Gillard Photography

Q. Where in Lincolnshire are you based, and what was your first ever live performance that you participated in? 

SARAH: I’m based in Lincoln. I started off in pantomime and school shows at primary school. I think the first live performance “on stage” was playing Welly-Ella in 'Welly-Ella', a school production of Cinderella with-a-difference, aged 9. 

SALLY: I’m also based in Lincoln. Performing started at a young age as Mary in the school nativity. [Then I continued] performing in school musicals with my first musical being 'Annie' where I played the role of Tessie. 

Q: [to SALLY] What was it that first drew you to the local theatre/arts scene, and the Asylum Players in particular? 

SALLY: I first joined a local theatre group in 1998 where I joined CAODS for their performance of 'Crazy For You', playing the role of Tess which really was where my passion for the stage began. As much as I love being in a musical, my passion for acting is what drew me to The Asylum Players. They have given me the chance to get back into Acting in such a warm, friendly atmosphere. The opportunities I have been given have given me the confidence and the chance to act with the most amazing support and encouragement.

Sarah Ward as Annie in 'Calendar Girls' (c) Stephen Gillard Photography

Q: Give me three words that describe what theatre means to you.

SARAH: Truth; connection; emotion.

SALLY: Freedom; exhilarating; powerful.

Q: What is the current production you're involved in, and your role within the company?

SALLY: 'Calendar Girls' by Tim Firth for The Asylum Players. I'm playing the role of Chris, alongside Sarah, who's playing Annie.

SARAH: [Annie is] one of the six WI members in Knapeley. I have been a member of Asylum Players for approximately 18 months. I’ve been involved as cast in Scratch Night and Macbeth November 2024.

Q: How "near the knuckle" does the script/production go? And how have these rehearsals been different to other productions you've taken part in?

SARAH: The show requires bravery from the performers, but not from the audience;  “it’s ‘nude’, not naked!” but in the early days of rehearsals we had a journey to go on around the nudity aspect. The rehearsals have involved a lot of humour and developing relationships… particularly some moments between Sally and I. Revisiting the rehearsals in 2025 ahead of this year’s run has involved breathing new life into the performance and really polishing areas of the play- so it all feels new again. I’ve loved the opportunity to return. 

Q: What do you think it is about 'Calendar Girls', a frequent am-dram favourite, that makes it so enduringly popular?

SALLY: I think it's because everyone can relate to the story in one way or another.  The story and characters are so relatable. Each character has their own story and the way the play is written gives each character the opportunity to take the audience with them along their journey. The play is emotional, warm, funny and the audience are with you every step of the way - laughing one minute to crying in the next.  The connection between the audience and the actors is so intense that it really does make for a wonderful piece of theatre - this is what I believe draws both theatre groups and audiences to this beautiful play. 

Sally Rousseau as Chris in 'Calendar Girls' (c) Stephen Gillard Photography

Q: I'd personally consider the film version a modern-day classic comedy. Does the play offer up the more dramatic/challenging subplots as well as the laughs?

SARAH: In my humble opinion, it is comedic pathos at its finest.  There are challenging subplots for each character to grapple with and I believe the audience experiences moments of laughter, tears and then both combined. 

Q: A cheeky question here, if the Asylum Players Company were to approach you and your co-stars to put together a 2026 calendar with profits going towards charity or the society funds, would you leap at the chance or run a mile?

SARAH: Ermmmm…. Probably run a mile. The calendar as ‘Annie’ is one thing, the calendar as Sarah is another.

SALLY: Mmmmmm I’d probably say "yes why not"!!! It was actually quite liberating! 

Q: What other creative work is on the horizon for you?

SARAH: I am looking at further opportunities but nothing concrete at the moment. 

SALLY: This year has been a busy one with performing in Jane Eyre with the asylum players and the musical cats with a local theatre company. A little rest for a few months as working and being a mum of three is a challenge in itself but then will definitely want to look at some more acting … will see what opportunities arise. 

Q: [to SARAH] Back to 'Calendar Girls', if you had to choose a song that best represented the performance, what would it be? NB: The song doesn't have to feature in the production.

SARAH: ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay. It doesn’t feature in the production. But the lyrics reflect how each of the characters is a little broken, but healing then found in ‘togetherness’. It’s also a song that makes me cry and smile at the same time, so that’s why it came to mind!

Tickets for 'Calendar Girls' (being performed at The Blue Room in Lincoln, Thursday 31st July - Saturday 2nd August, 7.30pm, plus an additional Saturday 2pm matinee) can be purchased via the link below.

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