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He is one of the archetypal villains of the stage and classic literature. But how do you get into the head of a character like Bill Sikes and bring that brooding evil to the stage? John Bultitude caught up with Iain Fletcher to find out how he is bringing the character to the stage in the lavish production of Oliver! heading to NorwichTeatre Royal.


You certainly couldn’t accuse Iain Fletcher of being anything like his character in Oliver! and that is a compliment. He could be christened Mr Laid Back as he sits languidly in a chair with Jack White songs playing softly in the background, recounting stories about his career.


But this chilled and relaxed demeanour is in contrast to his work ethic and pure passion for the role of arch-villain Bill Sikes in Oliver, which takes to the NorwichTeatre Royal stage this month. Iain put hours of thought into the character before he had even had a meeting with the legendary impresario Cameron Mackintosh, thinking about how to act and which song to perform. He recalled: “If you’d seen the film, you’d think Oliver Reed doesn’t have a song. When I was preparing I was thinking about all sorts of people - maybe something by Ian Dury or Nick Cave.”


Getting the character absolutely right is also important to make sure the evil of Sikes does not come across so evil that the part borders on farce. He said: “I thought hard about how I approach it; it could come over as a bit comic or even a bit cod to play evil. Equally, just the mention of his name makes people almost wet themselves with fear.”


He must have done something right though as Iain won the part and has been the character the audience love to hate in the show which has been


winning rave reviews the length and breadth of the country.


And Iain admits starring opposite Brian Conley is a joy. He said: “He really gives you room on stage. I feel confident I can try new things and he will go with it. He is very generous.”


Iain was a late starter in the acting world initially doing a business studies course on the South Coast when he left school before he – and his tutors – decided it was not the right career path. He recalled: “I just told them I’d like to be an actor. I went to see a friend sitting on the beach strumming a guitar and he suggested going to college with him and doing drama. “I suppose it was always a bit feted. My very first offer of a part in a musical was at my school when I was asked to be the soldier at the end who kills Bill Sikes.”


But it was ITV’s police hitTe Bill where he made his name playing the sharp- dressed and risk-taking DC Rod Skase. Iain recalled: “It was great to work on. You learn so much. It was my first job really and it was wonderful.”


Away from the stage, Iain is also enjoying the chance to see lots of Britain through the tour. “I am really looking forward to Norwich. I’ve never been to the Norfolk Broads and I am also keen to see a little bit of John Constable country. If I can get to have a look around Carrow Road, that would be good too.”


Oliver! runs from Tuesday 3rd July - Saturday 4rd August at 7.30pm, with Tursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. For more info and tickets, go to www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk. To read the uncut version of this interview, go to Outlineonline.co.uk


outlineonline.co.uk / June 2012 / 43


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