THE day Polly Lister found out her husband wanted a divorce, she had to appear as Cruella de Vil in a Christmas show.

Two years later, the award-winning actress takes to the stage once again to tell the story of how she loved and lost.

I Was A Wife is a powerful yet funny one woman play which Polly has penned and will perform at The Dukes in Lancaster from January 28-February 6.

But what’s it like to write and perform scenes from one of the most painful periods of your life?

“Nothing has ever scared me more,” explained Polly. “It’s the first time I’ve written a play and the first time I’ve done a one woman show so it’s a real baptism of fire.”

It was while Polly - who fell in love with theatre when she was taken to a show as a seventh birthday treat - was appearing as the Witch in The Dukes outdoor production of Hansel and Gretel in 2014 that she was persuaded by artistic director Joe Sumsion to pour her emotions into a play.

The result is a show telling the highs of the marriage proposal which came during the run of a Christmas show in Harrogate, the wedding which took place in Keswick while Polly was appearing at Keswick's Theatre By The Lake, and the lows of being asked for a divorce just months later without being told why.

“Not every divorce is the same but this play is for anyone who has felt injustice because they’re not wanted any more whether that be personally or professionally,” continued Polly.

The play is set in the various dressing rooms of theatres Polly appeared at during her rollercoaster ride of romance.

It blends songs with storytelling and the kind of quality performance which recently saw Polly win a UK Theatre Award.

Since her marriage breakdown, Polly has never been so busy: “The theatre gods have looked after me. Having to go on stage has been the making of me. It’s given me a purpose and allowed me to function.”

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