Barry does time
Shaun, who plays loveable rogue Norman Stanley Fletcher at the Theatre Royal from Monday, October 12, to Saturday, October 17, explained: "I was in the Navy years ago and was stationed at HMS Raleigh for eight months so know Plymouth well. I feel very affectionate towards the place."
With a wry smile, he added: "How's Union Street these days?"
The new show is written especially for stage by the original creators, Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais, whose distinguished writing careers also include TV sitcoms The Likely Lads, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and the 2008 film The Bank Job starring Jason Statham and David Suchet.
Isn't Shaun daunted by playing a character intrinsically linked with one of the nation's best-loved comedy actors?
"Funnily enough, I accepted it without a thought when I was offered the role, because it's such a great show and Clement and Le Frenais' writing is just so good.
"However, the pressure was on because Ronnie Barker played him so well. There's no point in changing the character drastically though as Ronnie's performance is what people loved and still do, so audiences won't be disappointed with the way I play him, I hope!
"There's something of myself in Fletcher – we're the same age and weight for a start!"
The premise of the show sees Fletcher himself as an old-hand at 'doing time', and we meet him serving a five-year stretch at HMP Slade for breaking and entering.
Fletcher expects to enjoy a single cell but he's forced to share with a first-time offender, a naïve young Brummie called Lennie Godber, whom he reluctantly takes under his wing as we follow the hilarious antics of these characters while they struggle with rigged boxing matches and the occasional attempted breakout.
Of course, Shaun is best-known for playing Barry Evans in EastEnders from 1994 to 2003.
"That was an amazing experience – between the maimings and bombs Barry provided the comedy, which is probably why people were very fond of him. Though, I have to say that Coronation Street does the soap comedy thing better than EastEnders."
Is Shaun saddened that he can never return after Barry was killed off by nasty Janine?
"No, it's a godsend. Never go back! Mentioning no names, but when they do it's never the same."
After his success in EastEnders, Shaun worked on the comedy phenomenon that was Ricky Gervais' Extras. Did Ricky and Stephen Merchant write the role especially for him?
"Do you know what, I never actually asked them. I'm sure they could just have easily had Dean Gaffney or Howard out of the Halifax adverts...
"Working with them is incredible – they do everything so quickly – because they write and direct, there's no poncing about; they just get on with it."
Shaun's stage credits include DJ Monty in the West End production of Saturday Night Fever (a role he revived on a nationwide tour), Road to Nirvana in London and as the narrator in The Rocky Horror Show.
Performances: Monday to Saturday, 7.30pm and Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm. Tickets: £10-£21. Box office: 01752 267222 or online at www.theatreroyal.com
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