FORMER EastEnder Shaun Williamson admits that he feels like someone on their first day at school.

On Tuesday, Shaun joins the cast of the hit musical Anything Goes when it opens at Manchester Opera House, playing the gangster Moonface Martin.

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The show has been touring the UK since October, picking up rave reviews wherever it goes and Shaun is just one of two new cast members for Manchester.

“To come into an established touring show is extremely nerve-wracking,” said Shaun, still best known for playing Barry in the TV soap for 10 years.

“The important thing to do is not to try and play the character in the same way as the person you are taking over from; you have to do it your way.

“The producers have been very generous and allowed me to do what I want to do in rehearsal and, if it fits into the show, seem happy to let me develop that.”

The Cole Porter musical which has been revived for the current UK tour features a large cast including orchestra and dance troupe.

“This is a real Hollywood musical,” said Shaun. “It’s got a big cast, you can hear the full orchestra from the pit and it really gets the adrenalin going.”

The show features memorable songs including I Get A Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, It’s De-Lovely and Anything Goes.

Based on a PG Wodehouse story about a gangster who stows away to win the love of an heiress, Shaun’s character is one of the many eccentric passengers who try to bring their love to fruition.

“I think you can guess from his name Moonface, he’s not a little eight-stone weakling,” said Shaun. “He’s only public enemy number 13 so he’s not exactly a master criminal and his heart’s in the right place.

“But I do get to do my fair share of dancing on the show, which is a great challenge.”

Unlike the rest of the cast who had a month to rehearse the show before going on tour, Shaun will have just two weeks – and only have one full dress rehearsal with everyone before the show opens on Tuesday night.

“It sounds daunting,” he said, “but my two week’s rehearsal are pretty intense. It’s all part of being an actor – you work with the time you have available to you.”

Shaun certainly seems determined to make the most of his opportunities – in the past 10 years he has been part of 27 stage productions, many on UK tours or the West End.

“I didn’t go to drama school until I was 25 and when I left there I was kidnapped by EastEnders for 10 years.

“I love the buzz of live theatre and every year I always try and do one production at a small venue.

“I can’t wait to open in Manchester and then stay with the show through the summer. It’s a full-blown, spectacular musical and audiences have been loving it. When that orchestra starts up or you get all the dancers on stage together it’s really powerful stuff.”

  • Anything Goes, Opera House, Manchester, April 7 to April 18.

Details from 0844 871 7660.