NEW Board at http://thebill.spreebb.com/

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:33 pm

Andrew loves challenge of new play

Andrew Paul is a familiar face to many, thanks to more than a decade playing PC Quinnan in The Bill and a recent run in cosy rural drama Where the Heart Is.

Now he is about to give his fans a shock, courtesy of new play Blame at the York Theatre Royal.

"I play a chap called Raymond who has a bit of a past. He's been in prison, but he's reformed and keeps everything together for his sister Mandy (played by ex-EastEnder Lindsey Coulson), and his niece."

He admits he was hooked by the role

from the start: "There was something about it when I first read it, I thought 'I'd like to do that, it's very interesting.' I was drawn to this character because I saw him as a challenge.
"In his own way, Raymond is as damaged as Mandy but he's trying to understand why he's made the mistakes he's made and uses anger management to put things right, but at the stage we meet him, he's still full of the therapy speak. He can talk the talk, but he's yet to walk the walk."

Is the role anything like the real Paul? "There's always a little bit of you in every single part you play, whatever it is. But he's quite far removed from me, as is Denny, the other character I play.

"It's a much smaller role, but just as important. He's a hardened, unemotive, brutal criminal and although I've got less to do with him, I find it harder because I just can't get into his head at all. He's violent man, whereas you only have to look at me to know what I'm thinking."

When asked what it's like working with Coulson, the actor beams: "She's just a joy. She's an actress I've always really admired and I've always loved what she does, so I was delighted when I heard she was doing this."

Starring opposite her wasn't the only reason Paul had a big smile on his face. "I love rehearsals," he laughs, adding: "I get up in the morning and I really look forward to going to work. That's the joy of the theatre and a four-week rehearsal period. You have the chance to explore everything, and much of the research is done during that time. You don't get that luxury in TV.

So, does he prefer treading the boards? "A lot of actors enjoy just being in employment, but my wife says I seem a bit happier when I'm working on stage."