IT’S the final week of the Mercury Theatre’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, so what better way to mark the occasion than by finding out a little more about its leading man, actor Alex Green. He plays love interest Rupert in the show, which ends on Saturday. For tickets call 01206 573948 or go on-line at mercurytheatre.co.uk

What or who got you interested theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?

My first experience of wanting to be on the stage, would be when my parents took me to see the local pantomime in Norwich, and I asked how I could be one of the kids up on the stage. The idea was incredibly appealing to me.

My first influential character would be Miss Mobbs, my year 3 teacher, who saw my passion for drama, and got me involved with school productions. I remember my first role at school was the Cheshire Cat, in Alice in Wonderland.com. And I just carried on with the school productions every year after. Only trouble with being at an all boys school is, you sometimes end up playing female roles. I had my first experience of that in year 6, as Katisha in the Mikado. But it was such a laugh, and we all had fun.

Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in the theatre?

My mum has been known to sing out a rendition of flower of Scotland at parties, after ‘persuasion’ but other than that, no.

Who is the most inspiring person you’ve worked with and why?

Although I’ve only had the pleasure of working professionally with him once, I’d have to say a man called Blair Anderson. We trained together at Arts Ed, were in the same year, and got to know each other quite well. I have to say it’s his attitude that most inspires me. His constant positivity, and the genuine grin I get from ear to ear whenever I bump into him. Also the fact he’s a powerhouse of energy, as anyone who’s seen his rendition of Cosmo in Singing In The Rain would know. I really hope I get to work with him again.

What formal training have you done?

I started Drama lessons at 12, dancing came a little later, after initial persuasion. I started to think seriously about it by the age of 16. After auditioning at several places, I got into my number one choice for the 3 year BA course at Arts Educational Schools London, or Arts Ed for short. I was lucky enough to be granted a DADA scholarship, which greatly helped! I graduated with a 1st class honours.

Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire?

Other than singing dancing and acting, I used to play the double bass, but the only instrument I’ve been required to play on stage was a penny whistle, and I had to play it through my nose.

I also have a strong basis in the martial art judo, which I actually often use the rolls in dance routines, as they look fairly impressive without being hard to do. I’ve also learnt to horse ride, but never used it.

Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your career to date?

It’s a close choice between my first ever lead, as Angel in Devilish, and being Production Tenor/1st cover Don Lockwood in Singing in the Rain. While one was my first ever lead in a show, and I relished the challenge, Singing in the Rain is one of my all time favourites. If I’d had the chance to go on as Don, that would definitely be my ‘Top’ moment.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

We relied on a music track to give us our cue of when to dance, and when to sing. For whatever reason, no one played the track, and three of us, myself Alison Hammond and Matt Dale were left on stage for a minute’s silence on press night, while we are meant to be performing the grand Act 1 Finale. The band was unaware of our predicament, as from the pit they couldn’t hear the track anyway. Fortunately, I recognised a part in the music the band was playing, and started the routine there. We laugh about it now, but it was so embarrassing at the time.

What role would you most like to play and why?

I would love, to one day, play Max Bialystock in the Producers. I love the Mel Brook films, and I really want to go see Young Frankenstein that came out recently. Although I’m not an appropriate age to play this role yet.

Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?

God yes. I think the longest corpse, has to go to Beck’s Theatre Panto. We were performing Peter Pan, and myself dressed as a pirate, and Smee, played by Neal Wright, were the only two on stage. The scene prior had been the custard pie in the face routine. So the stage was quite slippy. When Smee called me forward. I ran to him, but in the process, my feet slipped and came clean away from underneath me. I felt like I was in the air for ages, and landed hard on my bum. I could see Neal biting his bottom lip furiously, and the tears already forming in his eyes. But once I’d realised I was ok, and saw that expression on his face, I too, couldn’t hold back the laughter. Then the audience completely cracked up too. We were laughing so hard and so long. Every time we attempted to get on with the scene again, we burst into a new chorus of laughter.