Actress Vicky McClure is spreading some disco joy by strutting her stuff in a lively new venture
WORDS: ALISON JAMES
Vicky McClure is one “luvely ducky” as might be said in her native Nottinghamshire dialect. She exudes truly stellar-like star quality yet also rocks a down-to-earth vibe.
Many actors of her standing would have long ago abandoned their roots in favour of the bright lights of London. Not our Vicky. She remains a Nottingham girl through and through, and even has a tram named after her.
So, what better place to relive her disco dancing days – albeit with a bit of a difference. She and film producer husband Jonny Owen, whom she married last year, have launched Day Fever – a pop-up “nightclub” that’s only open during the day so the over-30s attendees can still catch an early night, having danced their socks off.
The Nottingham bash takes place on Saturday March 30 at Stealth nightclub with doors open from 3-8pm.
“As my hometown and the city I love, Nottingham had to be on our list for Day Fever, it just had to be!” says Vicky.
“The world is very digital now, and this is a chance to put your phone down for a minute and have a chat and a dance with someone new. I wanted to recreate a ‘nightclub’ how I remember them, which is great music, a decent bar and people up dancing.
“I’m really guilty for having a good dance in my kitchen alone, and I would much rather do it with my friends.
“Music is such a powerful thing for us all to have. It’s one thing playing it in your headphones, your house or in your car, but when you’re on a dance floor with your mates it really creates a memory – and I’m all for music and memories as we do with Our Dementia Choir.”
Our Dementia Choir formed in 2018 as part of Vicky’s BBC One documentary exploring the benefits of music for dementia sufferers.
A Day Fever Saturday afternoon is scheduled to take place in Jonny’s native Cardiff in May while in February there was a sell-out afternoon in London, which Vicky was very chuffed about.
“Being able to sell out London and having people to come and do it with us was a great achievement. But I’d love to see it in different cities so everyone has access, and we’re getting loads of messages on our social media asking us to bring it to them.
“Having it on your doorstep is the whole point so you don’t have to make late-night
