INTERVIEW: Christopher Timothy in Quartermaine's Terms

The writer went to rehearsals a few weeks ago and, between acts, the actor took the chance to ask his opinion of the play voted as one of the Top 100 of the Century by the National Theatre.

"It's a wonderful play. People love it and it's reputed to be his best," Christopher said.

"It's brillliantly written '“ very funny but also painfully sad."

Nathaniel Parker, who takes the lead role in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, plays bumbling teacher St John Quartermaine at a struggling English language school in Cambridge.

Quartermaine is completely absorbed by school matters but his colleagues are gossiping about their varied lives.

"This group of academics have not really achieved their true potential or the potential they believed they had when they were at university," said Christopher.

"They are all Oxbridge, except for one interloper from Hull University, and they teach foreign students English, which is not the greatest job in the world.

"I play Henry Windscape and I think the name is meant to convey windbag. He talks incessantly.

"It's about their disappointments and aspirations. They all have their private pain and grief.

"The director said the play is like holding a mirror up to the audience, there is so much with which the public identifies, which is fantastic.

"We hear groans from the audience as if to say 'I've been there'."

Christopher is pleased to be performing at Theatre Royal Brighton again, partly as it's only 50 minutes from home.

"I love Brighton," he said. "We're playing Richmond, Bath and Brighton '“ three of the best theatres in the country and with great theatregoing clientele.

"Brighton used to be the place to see plays before they went to the West End. I think people believe if a play is a success in Brighton it would be a success in London."

Christopher was waiting to hear whether Quartermaine's Terms was heading for the city. "That was the intention but it depends on how good Bill Kenwright and the critics think it is," he said.

Christopher wanted to be an actor from the age of about six when he used to see pantos and films in London.

"I remember thinking how I would like to do that," he said. "It wasn't about being famous or anything like that. I was aware of the effect a close-up was having on the audience and was so intrigued by what was happening I wanted to be part of it."

Leaving school with just one O level, he worked for a while before going to the Central School of Speech and Drama, where he was awarded the John Gielgud Scholarship and the Laurence Olivier Prize.

He went to Broadway with Chips With Everything and then was in several plays in rep at Worthing's Connaught Theatre before spending three years with the Royal National Theatre.

Best known for playing James Herriott in All Creatures Great and Small, Christopher said filming only took three and a half years but the series showed for 13 years.

"There were seven series and it took six months to film each. There were three specials, too, which took 18 weeks to film. But it was all spread out over 13 years. It was a great job and what I will always be known for."

Among his many credits is six years as Mac McGuire in the BBC drama series Doctors, which he also directed, films, TV and plays.

Recently he has returned to the theatre. "I'm a jobbing actor and not in a position to turn work down," he said. "Acting is demanding and can be frustrating and disappointing but it's fantastic as well. I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it."

Quartermaine's Terms runs from June 16 to 21. Tickets are 16 to 29 from the box office on 08700 606650, the groups hotline on 08700 606617 or click here

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