The heavy wives of Windsor

Sue, born in Preston but now based in Lancaster, has enjoyed a successful career as a character actress but missed out on the star roles.

Her experiences have now inspired her to write No Fat Juliets which premieres at The Dukes on Thursday.

Her story, a co-production with Oldham Coliseum Theatre, features new songs, snogs and bags of Northern spirit, she says.

“I want to write plays with strong roles for women which are popular and have a message.

I’ve always been big due to my metabolism and was a yo-yo dieter for years but when I hit my 30s I got to the point where I thought either I have to accept myself or give up so I’ve carved myself a niche.

“I was often told that I’d get more work as I got older and that has been the case.”

Her plus-sized romantic comedy is set in a failing Lake District hotel where Sue’s character, a part-time actress, is working as a barmaid.

When an old flame arrives in town with another size zero starlet, Beth starts to question her ambitions and finds comfort in the arms of a charming poet.

No Fat Juliets is a co-production with Ladybrain Productions which was formed by Sue to present theatre that’s popular – and a little political.

This play follows in The Dukes tradition of producing new homegrown plays rooted in the North such as Sabbat (2012); Quicksand (2011) and The Gift & The Glory (2010).

Box office: 01524 598500 or www.dukes-lancaster.org.