Blackburn-born Wendi Peters will star in the musical Salad Days which comes to the Lowry, Salford Quays next week. The former Coronation Street favourite answered a few questions before the show opens

You’re starring in Salad Days, can you tell us what the show is about?

Salad Days holds lots of great memories for me and I was thrilled when this opportunity came along to do it. I first saw a production of it when I was about 10.

It was an amateur production in Accrington and my godmother, Lorna, was in it. I became obsessed with the music and, soon after, there was a TV version broadcast of the show. My sister and I videoed it and watched it over and over again… it’s really become a family joke/memory and it’s still quoted today!

Of course, I’m now feeling very old as I’m playing one of the parents in the show ….

The show revolves around Jane and Timothy, who have just graduated from university. Not knowing what to do next, they decide to get married and get a job looking after a piano, which happens to be magic and makes people dance! Tim’s parents are desperate for him to get a good job and send him out to visit all his uncles for career advice. Jane’s mother wants to find her a wonderfully rich and influential husband - not knowing that she is already married.

It’s a wonderfully upbeat, fun show with great numbers that a lot of people will know and can tap and hum along to.

Lots of audience members will know you from Coronation Street. How does this character differ from Cilla?

They differ in as much as Lady Raeburn in Salad Days is the quintessential aristocrat who is very relaxed and laid back until it comes to her daughter and finding the right husband for her. I suppose she really just has Jane’s best interests at heart.

Whereas Cilla in Corrie couldn’t give two hoots for her children, Fiz and Chesney, and comes from a very Northern, working class background, so has had to fight for all she has. The only similarity is the fact that both have a roving eye for the opposite sex…

What else can you tell us about your character?

Lady Raeburn likes to look after herself and spends plenty of time in the beauty salon. There’s a wonderful scene where she is having her hair and nails done... it’s going to be fun!

How do you feel about embarking on this exciting tour?

Most of my career has been on stage, and if someone asked me to pick between TV and theatre… the stage would always win. It’s where I first fell in love with acting and singing.

My mum would take us to see all the musicals that came to Manchester and I adored going to the theatre. A lot of my theatre work has been on tour and I love it.

It’s very exciting to be back on the road again, bringing such a fun show to some wonderful places.

We are mostly doing a week in places which is the perfect length. By the time you’ve settled the show in, you have a couple of days to explore and then you move on. It’s also great being on tour and catching up with friends and family in various towns.

What would you say to encourage people to come and watch Salad Days?

Salad Days is such a feel good, fun show that will having you humming and tapping all the way out of theatre. It’s complete escapism for two and a half hours and in today’s world, that is sometimes needed.

What do you hope the audience will take away from the show?

I’m hoping the audience will leave with the biggest smile on their faces after such a glorious evening of wonderful uplifting singing and dancing.

They may be a little confused as to why everyone was looking for a piano and one of Tim’s uncles appears from a space ship shaped like a saucer… it’s such wonderful, crazy nonsense but very funny!

What’s coming up for you once the tour finishes?

I have a week off and then it’s straight into panto season. I’m back at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield playing Mrs Darling, Myrtle the Mermaid and Big Chief Squatting cow.

Any advice for budding actors/actresses?

You really must have the drive and determination to want to succeed. Not in being ‘famous and a star’ but in having a long and varied career and a love for your art.

Take the time to train properly, be it privately or at a drama school. Watch and learn from the other actors around you. You never stop learning.

If you’re still at school, get involved in as many school or local amateur productions as you can and enjoy it! That’s really important

Salad Days, the Lowry, Salford Quays, Tuesday, September 25 to Saturday, September 29. Details from 0843 208 6005 or www.thelowry.com