Samantha Womack added vodka to her water to “keep things fresh” on stage during The Girl On The Train.
The 46-year-old actress – who is most famous for playing Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders until leaving the long-running soap in 2017 – has opened up about her role as alcoholic anti-hero Rachel.
Rachel believes she witnesses a crime from the window of her train, and Samantha admitted she likes to “try all sorts” of techniques to keep the production enjoyable rather than “boring”.
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However, Samantha’s decision to drink on stage may not have been her best idea.
She said: “I try all sorts of things, when you’re doing a long play, we’ve extended this tour twice we’re in West End until Saturday and then the tour continues until November.
“There was one time I put vodka in the water and I felt slightly unhinged and a bit looser.
“All of those things things I really enjoy, it keeps things fresh for me, so it’s not boring… for them.”
The Kingsman: The Secret Service star only has a 10-minute break in the production but doesn’t find it too taxing.
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on Friday (August 16), Samantha added: “There’s just a pee break halfway through because I’m necking vodka, not actually vodka, it’s water, yeah, like a 10-minute break and just back on.
“The momentum and energy keeps you going.”
Samantha – who has Benjamin, 18 and Lily, 14, with her husband Mark Womack – is often joined by her daughter backstage, and the star revealed she provides a “grounding” influence
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She continued: “I’ve got Lily, I home school her, she’s 14 and she’s in the dressing room most of the time.
“You know the truth of it is, I’ll come off stage in the midst of a performance and she’ll be saying do you want this vegan salad and I’m in the middle of the play!
“It’s very grounding, very helpful.”
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