Babita Pohoomull

Babita Pohoomull is proof that there’s more to young soap stars than doling out diet tips and downing cocktails at London club Embassy. The actress, 27, played beautician Preeti Choraria in the ever-popular EastEnders, and is now starring in Future Theatre’s ( theatre for young people exploring issues that affect them) Hitting Home, the adaptation of Angela Ashworth’s acclaimed biography Once in a House on Fire, her harrowing account of growing up with domestic violence.

Babita – who has an education degree and completed her acting training at the Court Theatre Training Company -  plays Andrea, who loses her father aged five only to witness her mother plunge into depression and re-marry twice, both times  to men who become physically abusive.
The story is seen through the eyes of Andrea, the child, and charts her poverty stricken, violent family life until she finally escapes, through learning, to Oxford University.
And it is testament to the power of performance, and how theatre ( and all of the arts ) can change perceptions, inspire and educate.
Loma-Ann Bonner caught up with Babita just before the show's opening.

This play is a real difference from EastEnders.
It’s been amazing to be involved in it., the part is incredible and it’s nice to come into a company that’s exploring an issue that’s really important. I really like working with children and young people and this a great opportunity to do that. The play is actually less harrowing than the book, and Angela has been in touch with the company for a while and is chuffed to bits that her story is being put on-stage.

There must be some very emotional moments for you.
Sometimes in rehearsal I looked at Mark ( Stephenson, who plays both step-fathers) who’s lovely  and a great actor with real hatred. But the story gives hope, and shows that she comes out the other side and is successful and inspiring.

How did you prepare for the role?
I read the book. But because the story is seen through the eyes of a child it’s a very human reaction, a natural reaction. I didn’t want to portray her as something that was going on academically.

Has being in EastEnders opened doors for you?
You never know if it will, acting is such a fickle business. When I finished EastEnders in November I saw the audition for this on a casting website and just applied for it.

Do you miss being on a high profile show?
I learnt so much and got really thrown in at the deep end as it was my first proper telly.  I loved playing Preeti but I didn’t do anything ground-breaking. I was there for 15 months and it got to the point where I was there for a long time and never really got a story line. It was no-one’s fault, but it got really frustrating.

You had a fling with Sean Slater and weren’t you after Mickey?
I slept my way round Walford! But it was like having an acting job and not doing any acting, so it was a good time to go.

How did you find the whole celebrity circuit?
I find the publicity side really hard, and the celeb world is very odd. People get all excited because they think you’re this certain person, but you’re not.

Have you got plans to try and crack Hollywood or start your own clothing label?
No, no crazy ambitions!  I’d love to do something with Meera Syal, and to play Juliet. I just want to keep working and doing interesting things.

Hitting Home tours from Tuesday 6th May until 4th July. Check Futures Theatre for dates and venues.

Babita’s Culture Most Wanted:
Pictures:  I love going to galleries,  but I go round quite quickly. Love photography, but I can’t think of anyone specific just now! Natural-looking, black and white portraits are my favourites.
Words: The last book I read was for this play, Once in a House on Fire. And before that it was Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.
Performance: I saw Yasmina Reza’s new play God of Carnage, recently. It was brilliant: every move was so calculating.
Sound: James Morrison and Jon Bon Jovi!
Big Screen: I’ve got a TV and video in my bedroom and I watch a bit of Dirty Dancing every night. I know all the words.
Small Screen: I like a bit of Gossip Girl, Love Soup and Gavin and Stacey.
Fashion: I don’t like going out shopping and trying stuff on, but love buying stuff over the internet. Asos.com has got everything.

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