Les is delighted to be back at school

THE last time Les Dennis was on the stage of the Theatre Royal Plymouth it was for the Alan Ayckbourn comedy Just Between Ourselves in 2002. Tonight he returns with, as Monty Python would say, something completely different and a lead role in the smash-hit tour of High School Musical 2 Live on Stage.

"It's a fantastic, extravagant production," he says, admitting that he was a 'High School virgin' – knowing little about the Disney musical which has been phenomenally successful on film, television and now on stage.

"I knew absolutely nothing about the show before I did it," he admits. "I knew about the cult of it and the fact that people regarded it as the Grease of today.

"I play Mr Fulton – the only adult. He's all the adults and parents rolled into one."

Les says he thinks part of the success of the High School Musical franchise is its upbeat message and a happy ending.

"I like the optimism of this. It's great to listen to the kids; they just adore it.

"Disney want to get it right so there's absolutely no scrimping in that sense. There are 26 in the company plus swings and everybody is miked up; everybody sings live. That's expensive.

"Disney get it working on both levels – there are laughs for the adults and the kids. The kids know the songs and they know what they want."

For Les, who has a 16-month-old daughter, it means touring the country and periods away from home.

"The way the business is at the moment you have to be prepared to travel. We have to accept that we're nomads. It's not a nine- to-five job.

"I'm just loving it."

High School Musical 2 opens tonight and runs until Saturday at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

There are performances at 7pm Monday to Thursday, 5pm and 8pm on Friday and 2.30pm and 7pm on Saturday. Tickets start at £14. There is a post-show talk on Wednesday.

Box office: 01752 267222 or online at www.theatreroyal.com.