ON STAGE: Scott Reid talks about his starring role in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

 Scott Reid is currently starring in one of theatre's most celebrated modern roles - that of Christopher Boone in 'The Curious Incident...'

But small-screen viewers will be familiar with the face too - because Scott has also starred in one of the best comedy shows, and one of the most talked about gritty dramas in recent times...

Scott went On Stage with Sammy Jones at Total MK.

> The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a fabulous body of work - and every bit as challenging as it is essential viewing.

What knowledge did you have of the work before you auditioned for the role?

Anyone who works in the arts in London had heard of the Curious Incident when it first burst on the stages! It was the talk of the town. Tickets were like gold dust.

But I never managed to see the show in person until I had the role and was about to start rehearsing, I went to see it on the west end and it blew me away.

> You had a substantial amount of rehearsal time in preparation for the piece, but it must be tough to deliver night after night - how demanding is it on stage?

As an actor you want to pick projects that challenge you and make you better, and Curious was precisely that.  The concentration and focus that the show demands every night is nothing like I’ve ever had before. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Playing Christopher is really challenging as I don't leave the stage, but it is made much easier by the wonderful actors around me who really carry me along.

> Christopher has an extraordinary brain. Explain how mentally challenging you are finding the role.

At first it was just trying to understand the way Christopher sees the world, and find his logical chain of thought, and once I attached other rules, i.e, not liking physical contact, not like the colour yellow or brown Christopher kind of fell into place.

Now after nine months of touring, Christopher is apart of me and is in my muscle memory, he is now like my really close friend who I get to spend time with every night.

> Usual theatre productions allow for a certain amount of fluidity, but with such a clever set to work with, I imagine that as a cast you are less able to be relaxed within the piece - is that the case?

We have such a wonderful team of technically staff with us on tour, and week by week the set up changes, depending on the size of the theatre we play and we do have the chance to move the blocking(our standing positions in certain scenes) but the wonderful thing about Christopher is that no two shows are the same.  Physically positions on stage might not change, but the content of the scenes does!

> You've done a lot of theatre work previously. What on-stage role would you most fancy tackling next?

I’m a big lover of Shakespeare and I’m really keen to tackle one of the great plays soon, Hamlet has been a favourite for years. Also something like Entertaining Mr Sloane is on my list.

> Your television work to date has been as sensational as it has been varied - from Methadone Mick in Still Game to Michael Farmer in Line of Duty.
Two fantastic roles that couldn't be further apart! How did it feel stepping into roles in two such big shows?

It was incredible. Totally life changing and such a brilliant learning experience. I’m so grateful that I have had the opportunity to work with such wonderful actors and directors and learn from them all! I was like a sponge trying to take it all in and apply certain skills into my own techniques. But overall superb!

> Tell us how you fill your time on tour...

It changes week by week depending on where we are. As a cast we always try and have a meal or night out once a week! But we do spend a lot of time in the theatre. I’m also a big food lover so I like to explore and find the hidden coffee shops and restaurants

> And rats - did you ever have a phobia? How easy is it working with a rodent night after night?!

The rats are wonderful and Des Jordan, our animal man does such a cracking job making sure they are looked after on tour, to be honest they get treated better than I do!!

I’m also lucky I never had a phobia, i took to them quite easily

> For those that haven't taken a ticket for 'Curious...' yet, tell them why they should

This will probably the last time Curious will be on tour for a good number of years, and with it finishing in london earlier this year, this might be the last chance you ever get to see it!

To book tickets click here

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