The former Brookside actress plays Camille Dargus, who has battled her way to a better life.

She has it all – beauty, wealth and a successful career as a society jeweller.

But she also has a secret that threatens her losing all that when she is held at gunpoint.

During one night, she must use her determination and cunning to save her life in this David Foley play full of twists and turns that was nominated for the prestigious Edgar Award in the US.

"It's a thriller with an allusion to film noir," said Karen. "It's witty and scary and the most fantastic part for me.

"It's written for a woman. Although it's a three-hander, it's about her.

"She's a very famous and successful jewellery designer and lives in a fantastic place.

"It's all about something that happened in the past catching up with her but it takes the full length of the play to find out why what happens happens.

"This is an amazing part for a woman. I just love it. I will be sad when it ends."

Karen is reunited with her ex-husband for the play – from Brookside, anyway.

Stephen Pinder stars in Deadly Game as a security guard and the pair played Susannah and Max Farnham in the Channel 4 soap for four years, which Karen said was fun but also included a lot of hard story lines.

"We play very different characters this time but having worked together means you are used to how the other person works," said Karen.

The third part is taken by Kevin Pallister, who starred in Emmerdale.
Having always wanted to act, Karen said she was lucky to get her wish.

She was inspired at the convent school she attended when she studied Romeo and Juliet with one of the nuns.

She attended RADA. "I was very lucky at the beginning and worked at the Royal Court in the West End for Glasshouses and the Criterion with the comedy Can't Pay Won't Pay.

"Then I had a lot of TV work with series like The Collectors. I was able to mix stage and TV, which was lovely. That's what I like about acting – it's so varied."

Another of Karen's career highlights was appearing on two series of A Bit of a Do on TV.

She also appeared in the film Cry Freedom, filmed in Zimbabwee "when they were the good guys".

With Simon Ward, she appeared in Deadlock at Worthing's Connaught Theatre last year.

She has also been in Casualty, Doctors, Holby City, Lovejoy and All Creatures Great and Small on TV.

Stage performances have included Brief Encounter, She Stoops to Conquer, the title role in Lady Chatterly's Lover, Twelfth Night and Whisky Galore.

Deadly Game is at Worthing's Connaught Theatre from August 12 to 16 at 7.30pm, with matinéesat 2pm on Wednesday and 2.30pm on Saturday.

Tickets are £13 to £22 from the box office on 01903 206206 or click here


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