Boys, bad habits and chastity are all on the agenda as Once a Catholic opens at the Tricycle Theatre this month and the play promises plenty of laughs with direction from the one and only Kathy Burke. Amy Morgan plays convent school girl Mary McGinty. We caught up with her between rehearsals to find out more.

Emily Shipp: Hi Amy, how are rehearsals going?

Amy Morgan: Rehearsals have been great! I think it's been one of my favourite rehearsal periods actually. The cast and crew are great fun.
 

ES: What's it like being directed by Kathy Burke?

AM: She's great. She's very kind and encouraging. Kathy's created a very open friendly rehearsal room and I think that's when the best work gets done. She's always on the money with her notes!

ES: Once a Catholic promises to be a hilarious play to watch – are you keeping a straight face in rehearsals?

AM: In short, no, it's been almost impossible! The cast are all fabulous. I'm having real trouble keeping a straight face especially in Cecilia and Sean's scenes! Hopefully I'll be alright on the night.

ES: Your Welsh accent has been quite a distinctive part of some of your previous roles – do you get to keep the accent for Once a Catholic?

AM: I think I've only really used my Welsh on 2 jobs. When I do, it's always a decision. I'm not doing Welsh in this, it's set in Willesden Green!
 

ES: Are you any good at doing other accents and impersonations? If so what's your best?

AM: So far I’ve mainly been cast in either RP or London accented roles. I really enjoy using a different accent to my own. My best?! Oh crikey I'm not sure! Well, I like doing Northern Irish but I'm not sure how good I am at it!!
 

ES: You seem to do well in comedies, including Trelawny of the Wells and The Country Wife on stage as well as Big Font Large Spacing on film – is this something that always came naturally to you? Or did you have to work on your comic timing?

AM: My dad is very funny and has always been the entertainer in the family so I suppose I get it from him! And yeah I’m always working on it. I think humour only ever comes from playing the truth of a situation, so if I get a bit stuck, I just aim for the truth. That usually sorts it all out! There's no good in playing for laughs because you won't get any that way! Unless it's a specific punch line that requires timing.

ES: Who's the funniest person you've ever acted with?

AM: Maybe Sean Campion in this show actually! Or Phoebe Waller-Bridge on HayFever. She's fab, I adore her!

ES: And finally, if you could pick any play and any part to take next, what would it be?

AM: Oh that's always such a hard question! I don't know is the answer! I'd love to do an improvised sitcom or something. I'm a big Julia Davis fan so a Nighty Night spin-off or something would be great!

You can catch Amy in Once a Catholic at the Tricycle Theatre until 18^th. Tickets here.