When I was at school. High school to be precise. I took part in several productions such as Toad of Toad Hall and Oliver, not the musical version. I played Oliver and I remember the boy who played Bill Sykes was a real bully but that’s another story!

When did you realize you wanted to make acting your career?

I’m not altogether exactly sure. After school I went for an audition at Webber Douglas and they told me to come back when I had got more experience. So I went to Pontins as a Blue Coat in Morecombe 1982 doing impressions. Partly to get my equity card really. I did Bruce Forsyth, Larry Grayson and Alan Whicker. I put a waste paper bin with a pair of glasses on my head to do him, Whicker get it? After that I joined a local pro am theatre company in Norwich before going back to Webber Douglas and here I am!

Yes I have actually, Willy Russell’s Our Day Out. Probably not my best performance. Singing isn’t my best attribute, the only key I really sing in is yale !!

How long have you been acting now?

Let’s see what’s today? About 6 days 3 hours no let me see, professionally since 1985. Sorry couldn’t resist that.

Which roles have you had your best reviews for?

I have to say hand on heart I’ve never had a really bad one. I suppose that’s the kiss of death. I’ve had some great ones for the Ray Cooney farces and The Dresser. I’d love to do that play again.

It was in 1989 or 90. The casting director saw me in a play for the Channel Theatre Company in Kent and brought me in for a David Essex sitcom called The River. I didn’t get that but she cast me in The Bill instead. I played PC Kevin Anderson for eight months and one of my lasting memories will always be clad in motorbike leathers suffering in the sweltering summer heat.

How did you come to join Ian Dickens Productions?

How long does it take you to learn a script?

Not long. Do you know I can learn a script just like that but I can’t remember what I did 5 minutes ago or where I put my keys. I think the quickest I have learnt a script so far was for Gentle Hook. I got the call on the Friday and opened on the following Monday. Usually I’ll read a play 4 or 5 times to learn the structure and where I’m going then I read over and over, cover and check adding a line each time. I must admit I tend to evolve a character more once I have an audience.

What aspect of acting do you most enjoy?

Not being me

What motivates you as an actor?

Oooh that’s a good one. Bringing enjoyment to other people I think. Also these days I do it for my Dad. When he died a neighbour told me how proud he was of me and my work although he never actually told me. I always knew he was proud but it just wasn’t what you said in our family so yes, I do it for him.

What would you do if you weren’t an actor?

Something in the TV or film industry

Do you think young people should be more encouraged to go to the theatre?

Yes but you have to give them what they want. That goes for anyone really. There is the thought that if you give the audience ‘a name’ they’ll go but I think that’s only true of someone like Judy Dench or Anthony Hopkins. For example if people like soap and you cast a soap star in a play, the chances are they won’t go and see it because they’ll miss them in the soap which is on at the same time as the performance. Cooney farces and Alan Ayckbourn fill theatres because people know them and what they are going to get. Theatre’s too expensive to risk not enjoying it.

Very much so. Actors don’t always get it right any more than anyone else but the audience has just sat through it and can tell you why they did or didn’t laugh or enjoy it. Constructive criticism is always good.

What do you do during the day before a performance?

Occasionally I get asked to do the odd interview but mostly go for a walk or to the beach or gym. It all sounds very lazy and then there are the late night parties and stuff which all go with this lifestyle which is why it is very important to keep fit and look after yourself. It’s not vanity, we have to do it because it’s what keeps us able to work. For example, if you’re not fit, you can’t leap about the stage every night in a farce so you don’t get offered the work. It’s often said actors only work a couple of hours a day so why do they get tired but we actually use a great deal of energy so what you would do in two hours on stage, takes about as much energy as six hours off. Yes it’s a great lifestyle but it is hard work. You have to give the same level of performance no matter what, whether there are 90 people in the audience or 1900. After all, they are all paying the same amount of money and every performance should be your best. To do anything less doesn’t make any sense to me.