INTERVIEW: Michael Praed in Sleuth at Brighton

The veteran of TV classics Robin of Sherwood and Dynasty doesn't want to spoil the twists and turns of the great stage thriller he is appearing in soon at Brighton Theatre Royal.

"It's a thriller, it's very funny, a revenge tragedy and it's a tried and tested piece of work. It won a Tony Award in America and it was turned into a great film starring Michael Caine," was all he would reveal when I asked.

A recent remake of the film, again starring Caine, went down badly with critics. "They updated the script and in the process the story changed," said Michael.

"There's nothing wrong with trying to change a script to make it better but it's got to end up better than the original."

Have no fear about the version Michael is starring in as it's sticking to the original script by Anthony Shaffer that ran for 12 years in London and New York, with the actors are giving their own take on the characters.

A young man arrives at the impressive home of a famous mystery writer, only to be unwittingly drawn into a tangled web of intrigue and gamesmanship where nothing is quite what it seems.

Starring alongside Michael, pictured left, is Simon MacCorkindale (Harry Harper in Casualty) and Michael says they make a good team.

"When you do the play for a long run you get to know the characters intimately '“ probably better than when you make a film," said Michael.

Sleuth ends its run in July, when he has some jobs in the pipeline but nothing concrete yet.

"When this comes to an end I will focus on the next thing," he said. I'd love to be in a position where I could choose what I want to do but that is not a luxury afforded to me. Acting is my job. If I can continue to do it I don't really mind what I do, although I love doing this play."

He loves Brighton, too, and has performed in the town a couple of times, including the play Killing Castro.

And he would love to do another musical, where his acting career started. "It's so exhilarating. Music brings about such emotions."

The actor and singer's love of the stage began at school in Eastbourne. He knew that was his path at the age of 15 and later won a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

His career began to take off at the end of his second year and he received his Equity Card and left college.

Playing Jesus in Godspell at Leicester Haymarket Theatre was where his professional acting life began in 1980 and he played in a number of musicals, including The Pirates of Penzance in the West End with Tim Curry as the Pirate King.

TV guest appearances showed his acting and singing talent and he played opposite Elaine Paige in Abbracadabra in the West End.

Being the swashbuckling hero of The Pirates of Penzance led to his role as Robin Hood in 1984 and the show became the best-selling British television series ever produced.

Michael became a sensation and was besieged by fans and they still follow him to this day. "The show was held in high regard," he said. "I'm very fond of that show '“ and viewers like it."

With a CV packed with stage and TV work, including a year as Prince Michael of Moldavia in Dynasty, Michael said he has many other highlights of his career, including the dance show Contact.

"It was a show for dancers and my part was choreographed for somebody who can't dance," he said. "It was directed by the extraordinarily talented Susan Stroman, who directed The Producers, and to get the chance to work with her I would have paid them.

"That show also stands out in my memory because it was phenomenally difficult '“ a skill I had not been able to do and to achieve it gives some satisfaction. I'm a terrible dancer but I loved doing it. I can move in time but I'm not a trained dancer.

"Dancers have to train from a young age and they are professional sportsmen '“ fit, dedicated and disciplined."

Sleuth is at Theatre Royal Brighton from June 9 to 14 at 7.45pm, with matines at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets are 16 to 29 from the box office on 08700 606650 or the groups hotline on 08700 606617 or go to click here

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