As frightening as this may sound, there was a time when mobile phones, dating sites and social media did not exist.

To the teenagers of today, such a world must sound positively nightmarish. For their mothers, it will stir up memories of David Bowie, Grease and Jackie magazines.

With no Twitter followers to seek out or Facebook pages to scroll through, girls of the 1970s would bury their heads in the latest issue for dating tips, fashion advice and a heavy dose of pop culture.

Most of the readership is likely now to be in their fifties, and Jackie The Musical is aiming to tap into their nostalgia.

It comes to The Orchard Theatre as part of a nationwide tour next month, and one of its stars is looking forward to performing in the town she calls home.

Tricia Adele-Turner lives in nearby Stone, but despite an impressive résumé boasting roles in Legally Blonde, We Will Rock You and Carnaby Street, she is yet to take to the stage in Dartford.

“I have seen lots of shows at The Orchard but I have never performed there,” she admitted.

“Last year I saw the panto, I saw Footloose, and I think it is a great theatre. It will be nice to walk out on stage rather than be in the audience.”

“I have seen lots of shows at The Orchard but I have never performed there. Last year I saw the panto, I saw Footloose, and I think it is a great theatre. It will be nice to walk out on stage rather than be in the audience.” - Tricia

The 30-year-old actress may live in Stone, but her time in the family home is usually fleeting thanks to her tour commitments.

Jackie alone has already taken her as far away as Dundee, and last week the show was in Manchester. There are plenty of other locations still to hit before it wraps up in July, too.

“The reception has been amazing. In Manchester last week we had about 1,500 people in on Tuesday night,” said Tricia, who trained at ArtsEd in London.

“We get a really emotional response from women in their fifties because many of them have been through divorce or something similar.

“Many of them also grew up reading the magazines so they really identify with it. It is a feel good show.”

Alongside Tricia in the cast are East
Enders’ Janet Dibley, Olivier Award nominee Graham Bickley, and The Archers’ Nicholas Bailey.

Dibley plays the title role, with Tricia filling the shoes of Gemma – a comedy role she has relished jumping into.

“The show is based around a character called Jackie and a particular moment in her life,” she explained.

“Her husband has left her for my character, Gemma, and she is moving from the family home when she comes across one of her old Jackie magazines.”

From there the story becomes one of self-discovery, accompanied by a popular 70s soundtrack and choreography by former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips.

Written by Mike James and directed by Anna Linstrum, Tricia says the show has been a team effort.

“It is a show that everybody involved in is so massively proud of — it is lovely to be part of something fresh and new,” she said.

“We feel like it is our baby and we have been so well supported by our producers, it really has been a fantastic team effort.”

Jackie: The Musical is at The Orchard Theatre from June 14-18.

Show times and tickets are available at orchardtheatre.co.uk. Alternatively, you can call the box office on 01322 220000.