MEET Sally Kain from Hullbridge, set to be starring in the East Essex Players' production of Wife After Death.

The play - written by Eric Chappell (who wrote TV classic comedy Rising Damp) - hits the stage of the Dixon Studio in the Palace Theatre in London Road, Westcliff, from Wednesday June 27 - Saturday June 30.

The story is set on the day of the funeral of TV comedian and national treasure Dave Thursby.

However, things do not go to plan, especially when a mysterious woman turns up in flamboyant mourning clothes.

Visit southendtheatres.org.uk, to book and find out what happens next!

When and under what circumstances did you start taking part in dramatics?

My first memories of acting were from primary school. My dad was a very good carpenter and chairmaker and whenever the school needed props for a play or concert I would quickly put my hand up and volunteer his services. He made many things including a fully working spinning wheel for Sleeping Beauty and Rumple Stiltskin. I think the teachers way of thanking him was to always give me a leading part.

Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?

My dad's family were all quite theatrical. I had an aunt who travelled with a dance troupe and ended up with her own dance school. As a coincidence she grew up next door to a young girl who became very famous. Her name was Anna Neagle. I also have a cousin who went to the Italia Conti stage school and went on to appear on TV in The House of Elliot and The Chief with Martin Shaw.

Do you have any formal theatre or musical training?

Nothing formal whatsoever. I had a few piano lessons as a child and went to a dancing school in Wickford for a few years tap, ballet and ballroom. I joined the school choir in senior school and once had written in my school report ''the leading voice in choir'. Unfortunately I do not think it was a compliment, only that I could be heard above all others!

Do you have any special skills?

What I have loved doing for the last 40 years is writing and performing poetry [a bit of s cross between Joyce Grenfell and Pam Ayres]. I've also written and staged a few pantomimes for my local ladies club and some W.I and O.A.P clubs.

Do you have any accents or impressions?

My first contact with East Essex Players came a couple of years ago after I was ''discovered'' by Hazel Latcham at a U3A concert. I was asked to go along to listen to a reading of a play they were putting on, Comfort and Joy by Mike Harding. One of the characters was an Aussie lady called Fiona and to my astonishment I found I could do a pretty fair Aussie accent and so got the part. My rendition of Waltzing Matilda in the play was memorable!

What has been your favourite role?

I really enjoyed the role I just mentioned, Fiona in Comfort and Joy. In fact I took to it so well that I spent the next two months lapsing into Aussie dialogue at the drop of a hat much to the amusement of my family and friends.

What was the best response you've had from an audience?

Last October my husband and I went on a cruise where I took part in a crew and passenger show. It was a hot day and I assumed that only a few passengers would turn up to watch, only to be confronted by an audience of nearly a thousand people in the theatre. I went on stage did my stuff took the applause went off and thought that is that. But for the next few days everywhere I went - breakfast, dinner, lifts, swimming pool, deckchair - people were coming up and asking 'are you the lady with the poems?' .My moment of fame!

What was your most embarrassing theatrical moment?

Oh, that has to be my interpretation of the famous scene from the film When Harry Met Sally. You know the one I mean! I was asked to do this for my role in East Essex Players' production of Terry Pratchett's Maskerade . I was happy to do this, but not on the night my 40 year old son, daughter in law and her parents were in the front row.

What do you do for a living?

I was a hairstylist but am now retired. Over the years I met some lovely ladies and got to know about their lives and families. I learned to chat a lot and how to keep a conversation going. Quite handy in drama!

Can you tell us a bit about your current role?

At the moment I am rehearsing the part of Vi in Wife After Death. It is quite a large part and very enjoyable. She is rather a resigned, dry sort of character in great contrast to her husband Harvey, but with a few tricks up her sleeve. I will say no more.

Which actor do you most admire?

I just love Maggie Smith. I can watch her over and over again. She manages to be serious and funny at the same time. I really enjoyed The Lady in the Van it made me laugh and cry.

Do you have any tips for learning lines?

At the age of 71 I would like someone to give me some tips, not the other way round. When I write my own material it seems to stay in my brain but with someone else's words you just have to keep reading it over and over again. I also listen to a recording. On opening night fingers and toes will be firmly crossed.

Well I've just given away my age in my last answer. I live in Hullbridge and have done for 48 years so I guess I must like it. Is it theatrically speaking? a good place to be? Well it was through Hullbridge U3A that I came to be a member of East Essex players so I suppose you could say I was in the right place at the right time.