Brief Encounter with … Robin Hood star Marc Small

Why did you want to be an actor?

The two main reasons I wanted to become an actor was firstly the possibility it afforded me to play in different worlds and be different. As a child I felt that the small town I was from was limiting but seeing Marlon Brando in On The Waterfront, Superman and then The Godfather opened my eyes to the endless variation acting offered. Secondly, it was Gene Kelly. I got a lot of joy from watching movies anyway, but the joy that emanated from Gene Kelly while he performed in films was intoxicating. I felt if I added the joy of watching films with the joy of performing then acting could only be a happy endeavour.

You're back at the Octagon, what do you like about the venue and production team?

The thing that I love about the Octagon is that everyone is there to put on the greatest show possible, there are no egos, there is no actor/production/crew divide. The theatre is like a big house and everyone inside is family. That extends to the audience when they come to watch a show, they are welcomed to not just passively watch but be part of the experience. Also the ties the theatre has to the community, university and working with children of all ages is wonderful. Which means the theatre isn't just an entertainment venue, but an integral part of the social well being of Bolton.

Robin Hood is seen as an anti hero in that he robs the rich to feed the poor. Is this what attracts you and audiences?

Even though he does steal from the rich to give to the poor, I do not see him as an anti hero. He is being heroic by opposing tyranny in a time where the ruling state is corrupt. He only steals what was stolen from the poor in the first place, and targets the rich who caused the mass poverty in Nottingham. I feel the attraction of Robin Hood is that he is a man of courage and empathy, who stands up for what is right in the face of impossible odds. He makes a significant difference in people's way of life, and I think we all would like to do something that we felt was of great worth and made the world just that little bit better for everyone.

Christmas productions attract families to theatres. Are you nervous about performing to so many children, as they can be tough critics?

I wouldn't say I was nervous about performing to so many children, more excited. Obviously we all know that children are the toughest critics, as soon as they don't believe something they switch off. But the reaction you can get from children watching live theatre when they are fully engaged is second to none. It is my job along with the rest of the cast and production team to capture their imaginations and send them away wanting to create stories of their own. Also for a lot of the children this will be their introduction to Robin Hood, the Robin Hood they will judge all other Robin Hoods they see by. That is how important it is to get the essence of the character right.

You're performing a great deal over Christmas, but what are your plans for the Festive season apart from the show?

I'd like to say that I will be eating far too much and sleeping for half the day but I imagine I will be working, putting the finishing touches on a film that I have recently directed with my writing partner Davie Fairbanks.

What do you think the show offers audiences?

I think that the show offers a whole lot of fun, entertainment and an opportunity to be part of and feel connected to the production. Yet amazingly for a Christmas show it doesn't shy away from the politics of the time, the effects of poverty, the evil that men can do and how a collective force of good can really affect change. Also a collection of great songs.

Robin Hood is at the Octagon Theatre from 15 November – 11 January.