SHE has become one of the most in-demand leading ladies in musicals both on Broadway and in the West End but when Kerry Ellis was invited to take part in her first straight stage play she admits she found the thought “quite terrifying”.

Kerry is playing Gwendolen in a new touring production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest which is heading to Manchester Opera House.

“I was nervous taking the job,” said Kerry who has starred in hit musicals such as We Will Rock You, Les Miserables and Cats. “I’m known for doing musicals and rock concerts and singing with orchestras and all that sort of stuff - that’s what I know how to do, I’ve been doing it for 20 years and am very comfortable doing it. So suddenly not to have my comfort blanket was quite terrifying.”

But she admits that after meeting her fellow cast members - including Gwen Taylor and Susan Penhaligon - she had nothing to fear.

“To be among such fantastic actors with so much experience wasn’t daunting but I was a little nervous about it,” she said. “But they have all been so wonderful and I have loved every single minute of it.

“I know this is going to be one of those really special jobs to be involved in.”

Still only 38, Kerry is celebrating 20 years in showbusiness this year. She notably made her first starring role in London’s West End when, as understudy, she stepped in to play Eliza in My Fair Lady to replace Martine McCutcheon.

Subsequently she won awards both in the West End and on Broadway for her role as Elpheba in Wicked and then famously failed in a bid to be picked by the judges on the TV show The Voice.

She has also worked with Queen guitarist Brian May on a series of albums and performed concert tours around the the UK, but this is her first pure acting role.

“I keep getting asked what’s taken me so long,” she laughed. “I think a lot of it has been because I have been so fortunate to be busy over the years and gone from show to show, to do albums, to do concerts and all these things and I just don’t think there has been the opportunity or the time to do it til now.

“I also think that a lot of things that happen in industry are circumstantial and for this, I think all the stars aligned. I was suddenly available, the play is fantastic, the company is great for me and it ticked all the boxes.

“When I was invited to be part of the show I jumped at it, I really did. I couldn’t wait.

“I love the variety of doing different things. I love the fact that the phone can go and you don’t know what you are going to be asked about or considered for. I always love a challenge and to try something new and this was exactly that.”

Kerry has found similarities between the play and her music career.

“When I’ve toured with Brian we’ve stripped back the show so it’s just guitar and voice and it feels a little bit like that,” she said. “You are focussing on what it is all about whether that’s a song or a script.

“This play is about the text and the characters and the performances and I’m loving that side of it.”

Kerry said she didn’t feel as though she was setting a trend for musical theatre stars to be given acting roles.

“I don’t think I’m the first, there have been other people doing it already,” she said. “But I do think that it would be great if more musical theatre people did plays and more play people did musical theatre and we all did a bit more telly.

“We all do the same thing within reason.”

As if touring the country with a major production wasn’t enough, Kerry is also fitting in a series of concert dates to celebrate her 20th anniversary as a performer.

“When my manager suggested it I told him it couldn’t be right, I didn’t believe I’ve been doing this for 20 years,” she laughed. “But it’s been nice to put that show together and celebrate everything that I’ve done and look back.

“It scratches that itch for me if you like.”

Although she’s clearly loving bringing Oscar Wilde to audiences around the UK, it does mean Kerry has to spend weeks away from her two young sons - Alfie, four, and Freddie, two.

“That’s probably the hardest bit about it and you can’t help but feel guilty,” she said. “Anybody that’s in this industry has the job of finding that balance between having your home life and your working life and I think everyone struggles with that.

“The boys are kind of used to it. I do take them away with me some times, they have been on tour and it’s kind of shocking how comfortable they are in hotels and on planes.

“The family are so supportive. I couldn’t do this without them. They all do their bit and we all pull together. It means I get to do what I love doing and be a parent as well.”

The Importance of Being Earnest, Manchester Opera House, Tuesday, March 13 to Saturday, March 17. Details from 0844 871 3018 or www.atgtickets.com