Arts > Theatre

Interview with Dani Harmer

06/06/13

From Tracy Beaker to the Time Warp. Actress and performer Dani Harmer likes a challenge. Her latest is to take on the iconic role of Janet in the Rocky Horror Show, which is celebrating its 40th birthday with a return to Norwich Theatre Royal in early June. We caught up with Dani in her first few days in the role to find out more.

We all know her best as an iconic character to a whole generation of children’s TV watchers. Dani Harmer made her name and entranced thousands of young people (and their families) as the sassy and rebellious Tracy Beaker abandoned to what she sees as a life in care.

It was a character that helped define a generation and also contributed to making Dani a big star. She recalled: “Tracy started off as just another part really. I went through quite a few rounds of auditions and ended up getting the part at the age of 12.”

It was a role she was proud to get particularly as she loved the character long before Tracy became a small-screen success. “I was always a great fan of the Jacqueline Wilson books which the series was based on and so I was really excited to be in the show. They used to go out at four o’clock in the afternoon and I thought people would still be at school and they may not be that popular but I was wrong.”

As well as being very entertaining, Dani believes the show gave young people some really strong and positive messages. “I think it was a really good programme about a subject that was really important. We were trying to raise awareness of foster care and we did a lot to tell people about the subject.”

It was the project that catapulted the Berkshire-born actress to stardom. She was no stranger to the stage first treading the boards at the age of six in The Who musical Tommy and, unlike some stars, she says she comes from a very un-showbiz family.

“They did not push me into show-business at all. It was totally my idea. When I was about three, I decided I was going to become a famous actress and buy my mum a yacht. Unfortunately, I still haven’t bought it yet,” she joked.

What she may not have earned for her mum’s yacht fund, she has gained in awards winning the 2010 Children’s Bafta for Best Drama and also nominated in other categories for her performance. Her success was not just measured in gongs. The final Tracy Beaker series got the highest ratings ever on the CBBC channel and was also the most requested programme on iPlayer in 2012 with 550,000 requests to view it in the first three days it was available online.

Since then, she has been part of the line-up for Let’s Dance For Sport Relief and captured a whole legion of new fans when competing in the BBC’s weekend hit Strictly Come Dancing finishing a very respectable fourth. She said: “Strictly was the best thing I have ever done in my life. My partner Vincent Simone was just a dream. It was a really hard-working four months but I just learned so much.”

Now she jokes she is swapping her Strictly garb for underwear – and some more substantial outfits – as she stars in the Rocky Horror Show, which arrives at Norwich Theatre Royal on June 3-8. Taking on the role of Janet, she is starring opposite Sam Attwater, who has a strong stage pedigree alongside appearing on Dancing On Ice and EastEnders.

As we chat, she is still in the first week of the tour but is enjoying herself so far. Dani said: “It is going really, really well. It is one of my favourite shows although I am still really nervous. Those nerves have not really gone away yet.

“Having said that, I just love Rocky Horror. It is like no other show. The audience get just as involved as the cast do. If you get a great audience, the whole experience is absolutely wonderful. People of Norwich, get ready. We want you to do the Time Warp.”

And she is really looking forward to visiting Norfolk for the very first time and seeing what the area has to offer. “I have heard a lot of good things about it, especially how beautiful it is. I can’t wait to be there.”

So get ready for an outrageous night out and a very different role for Dani proving once again what a versatile (and popular) actress she is.

Rocky Horror Show runs from Mon 3 - Thurs 6 June at 7.30pm, and Fri 7 - Sat 8 June at 5.30pm and 8.30pm. For more info go to www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk.