IT’S Alice in Wonderland, but not as you know it!

Wendi Peters has some words of advice for anyone going to see the new musical Wonderland at Manchester’s Palace Theatre.

“Don’t come thinking this is a straight adaptation of Lewis Carroll,” said the Blackburn-born former Coronation Street star.

“For a start, our Humpty Dumpty is a lady. It’s all turned round a bit. So don’t come ready to pick it apart because it’s not Alice in Wonderland - that’s the whole point. It’s a new version. The whole point is to have fun and see all those crazy characters.”

Wendi stars as the Queen of Hearts an over-the-top, cartoon-like character which, I suggest, is the best role in the show.

“I’m only on stage for 15 minutes so take that as you will,” she laughed. “I get to catch up on plenty of iPlayer between my scenes but the reason I accepted it is because of the score.

“I get two fabulous songs to sing, real belting showstoppers which are really me.. I get to do what I love - belt out two songs every evening.”

In Wonderland, Alice - played by West End leading lady Kerry Ellis - is now grown-up and has a daughter. The show also stars Dave Willetts as the White Rabbit.

“It’s so lovely to have a full West End line up on tour,” said Wendi. “We have the most fabulous score by Frank Wildhorn, a Broadway legend. The music in this show really is amazing. It goes from pop to rock and I have these great show tunes.”

After playing the much-loved Cilla in Coronation Street for over four years, Wendi has become a West End regular appearing in shows including White Christmas and Oh What A Lovely War.

Before the Wonderland tour started Wendi performed in a special concert in Manchester accompanied by Frank Wildhorn on piano.

“I was stood on stage with Frank next to me. I was thinking ‘blimey, who would have thought it? Not bad for a girl from Blackburn’.

“But that’s the reason I wanted to be in this business. My mum used to take me and my sister to the Palace to see musicals when we were little and suddenly I’m standing there on that stage.”

Wonderland is touring the UK for the first time and Wendi has enjoyed being part of a new production.

“Something I always think about when I’m offered jobs is can I create something from this?” she said.

“I’m not one of those people who is happy to slot into something that’s been going for years and years that everybody else has done.

“I like to be in the creative process a bit and we were able to do that with this show because although it was on Broadway for a short run and then toured the States, it’s been changed again for here.

“UK audiences are very different from those in America. I don’t think you could get away doing Alice in Wonderland in the UK with American accents for a start - it’s a quintessentially British story so it had to be adapted and it’s been lovely to be part of that process.”

Wendi, who grew up in Wilpshire and attended Clitheroe Grammar School, decided she wanted to have a career in theatre as a teenager.

And, she revealed, it seems as though that runs in the family.

“My daughter Gracie wants to do it now,” said Wendi. “She’s only seen the lovely side of it with me as she was only three when I got Corrie. So she’s got to experience all the nice bits,

“I’m trying to make her aware of what happened before. the work I had to do between jobs; the jobs that me and her dad had to when the roles didn’t come.

“It is a hard business and there are times when you do feel like packing it in. But you have to get used to the knock backs. You can’t guarantee anything and you have to really want it.

“We’ve never pushed her. I think for a few years she was a little bit scared to tell me that she wanted to try the theatre because she wasn’t sure how I would react.

“But I can’t argue with her. She has a beautiful soprano singing voice. She’s so different from me physically and vocally. If she wants to do it because she loves it, who am I to stop her?

“But hopefully I can lead her in the right direction.”

As well as through her stage and TV work, Wendi is also well known for her baking - she was a finalist on Celebrity Masterchef, and is known for providing tempting treats for her fellow cast members.

“That’s been a bit difficult on tour,” she laughed. “We have enough trouble getting a suitcase on the tour bus never mind baking equipment!”

Wonderland runs until mid August and the first thing Wendi is planning on doing is having a holiday.

“I’ve been on the road since November so it will definitely be time for a break,” she said.

Wonderland, Palace Theatre, Manchester, Monday, April 24 to Sunday, April 30. Details from 0844 871 3019