Coronation Street star Harriet Bibby has been flooded with messages of support as she offered an update on the role she’s taking on away from the cobbles.
Fans of the ITV soap best know the actress for playing Summer Spellman after she was recast in the role back in 2020. But in January, Harriet revealed she’s set to do something new away from her role on Corrie.
Taking to Instagram on Friday (January 16), she revealed that she’s teaming up with writer Ian Kershaw, know for his work on the soap and is also the husband of Corrie legend Julie Hesmondhalgh, aka Hayley Cropper, to bring back award-winning play, My Name Is Rachel Corrie.
It tells the tragic story of young American activist Rachel, who travelled to Gaza in 2003 as part of an international peace brigade – living with Palestinian families, resisting the destruction of their homes. She died, aged 23, after being crushed by an Israeli armoured bulldozer.
Take Back theatre and 53Two are co-producing the Manchester premiere of the play, based entirely on the young American peace activist’s diaries and emails, from March 18 to March 22. Sharing the news on Instagram in January, Harriet shared: “We’ve been working on something beautiful! @ijkershaw @takebacktheatre @53two @reddoormanagement. Ticket link in bio.”
Now, with opening night now just days away, Harriet returned to Instagram on Friday (March 13) to offer an exciting update. Posting a selfie alongside Ian and Grant Archer, she said: “It’s true!! We had our final rehearsal yesterday and next week is SHOW WEEK! Tickets are selling fast so if you haven’t got yours yet, the link is in my bio! Can’t wait to see you all there.”
Corrie co-star Mollie Gallagher, who plays Nina Lucas, was quick to show her support as she commented on the post: “Woooooo [heart emojis],” while This Morning’s soap expert Sharon Marshall was seen commenting: “You go girl!”
And fans were also sending messages. @brandonbrindle said: “Awesome! I hope you have an amazing time performing this play. Much love from Canada.” @meenahollow replied: “Unbelievably excited for this project. Good on you.” @mattjj1989 added: “Can’t wait to see you on Thursday.”
Speaking about being involved with the one-woman-play with Ian, Harriet recently told the Mirror: “He saw the play 20 years ago and caught me in work and asked if I’d be interested. It’s beautifully put together. It’s all Rachel’s own words from her diaries and emails home. A lot of the play is quite light-hearted. You are meeting this young woman who is curious, smart, weird and funny, but it’s also very poignant, so it’s emotionally draining and challenging too.”