Fenella Harrop returns to the OTTC stage with her portrayal of Helen Saville, whilst Owen Fishwick is making his debut with us!

"Everyone at OTTC is brilliant, and that's made it so easy for me to fit in, learn, enjoy myself unbelievably and God! I hope I don't let them down!" says Owen.

We're sure he won't – after all he's got quite an insight into the play and where his character fits in.

"The banter and music that fills the air of this 1920s set acts as an anaesthetic to numb the reality of their lives and to drown out the secrets they hold. What's more, it's all very addictive. But all addictions must end somehow, and the Vortex does this explosively, with the emotional conclusion to those long ignored realities!"

As for Nicky, Owen's character? "He's enviable, yet pitiable at the same time. He's wealthy, talented and has a beautiful fiancée. But he's also been neglected terribly by the most important person in his life – his mother, Florence."

Fenella says that, despite all the deceit, The Vortex is quite a moral play. "What at first seems a wonderfully glamorous, exciting lifestyle is gradually shown for what it really is – shallow, selfish and ultimately very destructive."

"My character, Helen, is very astute so she knows – perhaps more than anyone else – what is going on. She sees the path of destruction they're all on but her devotion to Florence compels her to stay, hoping to lessen the emotional hurt. The tragedy is that everyone takes Helen for granted."