having friends in the county, he also appeared in several Anglia TV dramas, including the PD James mystery A Taste For Death and Terence Rattigan’s Cause Celebre, opposite Helen Mirren and David Suchet.


Although TV and film play a big part in his performing life, it is theatre which is Oliver’s favourite acting genre. He said: “When you are out there, you are in control. When you are in film or television, you are in the control of the editor, who may decide to cut you out or may decide the other character’s face is much more interesting than yours. “In film and theatre, the way you act is the same. It’s the way you control your energy that is different – that is the nub of it – and I think I control my energy better on stage than I do on film.”


There is no doubt Oliver has tremendous passion for Goodnight Mister Tom and respect for his co- stars – especially the young actors in the cast. He explained: “The boys are very professional and very focused. They are very quick to pick things up. When we did our first run-through they were given some new lines and they picked them up straight away. They are very experienced and have just come out of Oliver or Les Miserables.


“In fact, before your voice breaks you are very much in demand as an actor – much more so than us adults. It is a terrific age when they are nine to ten. They are very open, very keen and haven’t closed up.”


Photo by Catherine Ashmore


he had better make something. William has no pyjamas so he should lend him a nightshirt. He does all the right things but his whole manner is very gruff. That is what we have been working on. Keep him as gruff and distant for as long as possible so he can blossom.”


Mister Tom is the latest in a long line of roles for Oliver, who is renowned as one of Britain’s best-loved character actors. He starred opposite


TV’s Mr Tom – John Thaw – in the small-screen courtroom hit Kavanagh QC, although his CV features an incredible range of roles.


These include Sio Bibble in the three Star Wars prequels, the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet and The Crucible at the open-air Regent’s Park Theatre.


He is also no stranger to Norfolk. As well as Q AND A – MATTHEW J HENRY


Matthew J Henry is one of the stars of Avenue Q, which comes to Norwich Theatre Royal on March 15-19. He is playing Gary in the show that is described as an X-rated mix of Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.


Tell us a bit about your character. He is based on an Eighties sitcom star, isn’t he? I play the Late Gary Colemen, who was indeed a child star of the ‘80s sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. Gary is the guest star on the Avenue Q show, similar to that on Sesame Street. I’m playing the fallen star, Gary, whose parents have stolen all his money, so now he is the caretaker of the apartments on Avenue Q.


This show must be quite a challenge. What is it like starring opposite puppets? One of the hardest things when acting opposite puppets is not to look at the actor operating it - but you’ve got to love the puppets.


office@finecity.co.uk


The show is pretty different from a lot of the other work on your CV. What do you like about being part of Avenue Q? I love that the show is an ensemble show and each character contributes to the telling of the story and teaching the audience life’s unsaid lessons. The comedy is so good, and it’s great to work in a team where you bounce off each others energy.


Tell us a bit about you. What was it that made you want to go into acting and performing in the first place? I think a lot of black actors/ performers would have to mention the late Michael Jackson - the dancing, the singing and he wasn’t a bad actor either. Also, ‘80s films like


Fame – I wanted to be Leroy.


You have starred in some fantastic productions during your career, but are there any highlights for you? A highlight would have to


be playing the lead role in The Harder They Come – a musical that was created from the film of the same name starring Jimmy Cliff. One night, whilst performing, he was in the theatre and joined us on stage in the finale. It was amazing. The second would have to be performing at the Globe in the open air. It was the middle of the summer but this one night it started raining. This made the whole experience even more amazing.


Have you ever appeared at Norwich Theatre Royal before? I have performed at Norwich Theatre Royal before, back in 2005 on the National Tour of Miss Saigon. I really enjoyed the show at the theatre. It was also during this time that I found out that I had an allergic reaction to pine nuts, and it was during a show rehearsal in the theatre that I had an attack and was rushed to hospital. Everyone at the theatre were so lovely and helpful. They turned a bad experience into a positive and memorable one.


I look forward to returning to Norwich. To advertise call 01362 288084 27


That is a view matched by director Angus Jackson. His passion for the play is incredible, and he took it on fifteen years after first meeting Goodnight Mister Tom stage adapter David Wood after cheekily phoning him and asking for a chat. Angus has brought together the different ages incredibly well to create a memorable and moving first production for the Children’s Touring Partnership, which aims to create high quality theatre for the young.


If Goodnight Mister Tom’s wartime tale, which transcends the generations and celebrates true friendship and love, does not move you - nothing will.


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