FORMER Coronation Street star Sue Devaney is relishing being part of global smash-hit musical Mamma Mia which has opened for a three-week run at the Liverpool Empire.

The actress - who played Kevin Webster's sister Debbie in the ITV soap - plays Rosie in the show, which ends its run on March 14.

Also appearing are fellow ex-Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati as Tanya and Sara Poyzer as Donna Sheridan.

Wirral Globe:

Shobna Gulati, Sara Poyzer and Sue Devaney take to the stage at Liverpool Empire this afternoon. Picture: Paul Heaps

Inspired by the storytelling magic of Abba's hits, the enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek Island paradise.

On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past to the island they last visited 20 years ago.

With music and lyrics by Abba co-founders Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, the show is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast.

It is at the Empire as part of its current world tour.

During a press launch at the Empire this afternoon, Sue - who has been in the show for the last year - told the Globe: "It's a real feel good show, a beautiful story about three strong women that know what they want.

"It's the first time I've stepped into Rosie's shoes in Liverpool. I've been doing the tour now for a year.

"We started in South Korea last year for five months and went to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpa.

"After we've finished in Liverpool we're off to Johannesburg. It's the life of Reilly.

"It's not just Abba songs; it's got a beginning, a middle and end and is an amazing journey with a fantastic ending.

"It doesn't matter where we go, the Abba songs are really well known - even in Kuala Lumpa!

"After we've finished in Liverpool we're off to Johannesburg. It's the life of Reilly.

"It's the closest I've come to being a pop star."

Wirral Globe:

Shobna Gulati, Sara Poyzer and Sue Devaney take to the stage at Liverpool Empire this afternoon. Picture: Paul Heaps

To date, the show has been seen by more than 54 million people in 39 productions in 14 different languages.

Wirral Globe:

Mamma Mia! castmembers on stage at the Liverpool Empire this afternoon. Picture: Paul Heaps

Asked how have things changed over the year, Sue said: "It's a new cast, there's lots of ensemble and my best mate Shobs is now in the show.

"It changes and you always have to keep on your toes. The energy is terrific and I wouldn't be doing it again If I didn't love it. I love the story.

"It's a wonderful story and fantastic that the three main characters are women; because there aren't many plays like that around.

"Whatever role you do, there's a part of you in that role, so inevitably you find you have similarities with the person you're playing.

"I'm not married, she finds that a bit dull, and lives life to the full; so there are similarities with me."

 

Wirral Globe:

Sara Poyzer as Donna Sheridan on stage at the Liverpool Empire this afternoon. Picture: Paul Heaps

Sue’s other television roles include Jane in Victoria Wood's Dinnerladies, Liz Harker for four years in Casualty, Rita for three years in BBC children's series Jonny Briggs and Debbie Webster for two years in Coronation Street.

She said "I'd love to get back to Corrie. Debbie Webster needs to get back and sort Kevin out."

To date, it has been seen by more than 54 million people in 39 productions in 14 different languages.

MAMMA MIA! The Movie is the highest worldwide grossing live-action musical film of all time and one in four households in the UK has the DVD, which is now Amazon UK’s biggest selling DVD ever.

The musical is one of only five musicals to have run for more than 10 years both on Broadway and in the West End, and in 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.

Wirral Globe:

Shobna Gulati, Sara Poyzer and Sue Devaney take to the stage at Liverpool Empire this afternoon. Picture: Paul Heaps

Tickets are from the Box Office Box Office on 0844 871 3017.