STREET of Dreams, a musical adaptation of some of the best bits from 50 years of Coronation Street, will see Kevin Kennedy reprise the role of lovable underdog Curly Watts - yes, he of the lank hair and stargazing, whose heart was so cruelly broken by the ditzy Raquel (who left him to work as a beautician in Kuala Lumpur and did the dirty with Des Barnes).
With music and lyrics composed by Trisha Ward, choreography from Stephen Mear, a 25-piece orchestra and Paul O’Grady as co-ordinating narrator, this recreation of some of Corrie’s best-loved moments sees Curly joined by leopard-print clad Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear), Ken Barlow (William Roache) and a panoply of popular characters old and new.
There may well be catfights on the cobbles and exchanges with the ever-mournful Jack and Vera Duckworth and the beleaguered workers at Baldwin’s factory.
“It’s going to be extremely exciting and very spectacular,” says Kevin, who spent two decades on the ITV soap.
“We’re bringing the whole Corrie Street set to the people of Belfast.
“My iconic moment is where Curly chooses a star for Raquel and names it after her - that has been put to music. Initially I wasn’t too keen on the idea but when I heard the lyrics and the melody it just fitted the moment perfectly.
“I performed this piece on Loose Women a few weeks ago and it just went down a storm.
“We’re all really happy to be bringing this out on tour.”
Kennedy looks back on his years as Curly fondly.
“I’m very proud of what we achieved on Coronation Street during my time on the show.
“I had some tremendous storylines - all the slapstick stuff of Curly and Reg, the love story with Raquel, the whole love triangle with Curly, Raquel and Des Barnes.
“All that really stuck in people’s memories because it was all so beautifully scripted.”
Curly was benighted and average in many ways, an ordinary Joe whom people could relate to.
“Curly was the everyman. He was quite put upon. He got the girl in the end even though it didn’t work out. He was a good guy and people liked him. You could identify with Curly.”
See Mr Watts in this unusual, all-singing, all-dancing stage adaptation of Corrie in Street of Dreams - something of an odd duck of a musical but bound to be popular with diehard Corrie devotees.
Kennedy is particularly enthused about the show’s stint at the Odyssey.
“I can’t wait to come to Belfast because I’m really looking forward to visiting the new Titanic museum.”
n Coronation Street: Street of Dreams arrives at the Odyssey Arena May 21-22. Call the box office on 02890 739074 or visit www.odysseyarena.com.