Kym gets feverish

Six months ago, Kym Marsh was condemned to the pop scrap heap by record label MCA, which dropped the former Hear'Say singer after sales of her debut solo album, Standing Tall, failed to live up to expectations.

The experience was a traumatic one for Marsh but, after a brief period licking her wounds, during which she considered turning her back on singing and opening a beauty parlour, she is set to make her comeback in a musical adaptation of Saturday Night Fever which opens at the Apollo Victoria tomorrow night.

'I'm giving it my best shot,' says Marsh. 'I'm not one to lie down and just accept defeat.' While landing a celebrity name to open the production would seem a sensible way of generating a bit of publicity, it was by no means certain Marsh would get the female lead role of Annette and she went through three rounds of auditions, beating ten other hopefuls to land the part.

'Things like this aren't handed to you on a plate,' she says. 'They wanted to be certain I could do eight performances a week for six months. Martine McCutcheon was plagued by illness, which didn't help her show [My Fair Lady] and, because of that, it's made people aware that your voice has to be consistently 100 per cent at its best.'

Marsh has had coaching to strengthen her voice, works with a dialogue teacher to perfect the requisite Brooklyn accent ('I just keep thinking of The Godfather and then I get it') and, when I meet her, has just finished a morning of intensive dance training. It's obvious she's working hard to make her transition from pop to musical theatre as smooth as possible.

'Hopefully this will open doors for me, have some longevity and put me on a new career path,' she says, with refreshing honesty. As Marsh elaborates, it's clear she is relishing the chance to do well in the show, not only to prove her talents but also to stick a metaphorical two fingers up to the music industry.

'We all know what the business is like - one minute you're hot property and the next you're dropped,' she adds. Marsh has a jaundiced view of how record companies treat their neverending supply of fresh-faced wannabes. 'I wouldn't be going into the West End if it wasn't for Popstars.

It's given me some great opportunities but we all had our illusions shattered. What is happening with Michelle McManus, for example, is a shame. I feel sorry for her, I really do. She's had two hit singles and a decent album - why get rid of her? It's all wrong,' Marsh sighs and shakes her head. 'Look at me getting on my high horse!'

While Marsh's disappointment is understandable, her pragmatism is impressive. Auditioning for musicals mere weeks after having her pop dreams shattered, she's already planning ahead for life after Saturday Night Fever's opening night and has fixed one eye on a full-time acting career.

'I'd like to stay on if it works out for everyone,' she muses, 'but I wouldn't mind doing a soap. I'm a huge Corrie fan - so if there are any jobs going, someone please let me know,' she half-jokes.