ONE of the kings of musical theatre is preparing to take one of the most popular shows out on the road -- and he can't wait.

Paul Nicholas will play the lead in Fiddler On The Roof which premieres at Blackpool's Grand Theatre on Monday, February 17 before embarking on a six month national tour.

"This is something I've wanted to do for some time and I'm really looking forward to it," said Paul, who has appeared in some of the most successful musicals of recent years.

"It's an extensive tour and goes to all the major theatres, which takes us to the end of July. Then it will then continue to tour or it might even go into the West End."

From his early stage roles in Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, Paul has been widely recognised as a man of the musicals, yet it perhaps for his TV role as Vince in Just Good Friends which he is best known.

"If you look at my career," said Paul, "musical theatre has always been close to my heart.

"That's how I started and it has been my bread and butter.

"I have been lucky to have had success on TV but to me it's a ittle too hit-and-miss.

"I popped into TV for a while but then returned to doing what I know best."

The prospect of spending five months on the road with Fiddler On The Roof doesn't appear to be a problem for Paul.

"Actually, I enjoy touring," he said.

"Of course it would be nice to just perform in the West End so that you could stay at home while you do it, but a tour means you can take a show to different audiences.

"It stops you and the show from getting stale.

"There are fresh challenges at every venue.

"Audiences definitely do vary from one place to another.

"This is particularly true with comedy.

"In and around London there is a much harsher reaction. The further North you go, the less inhibited the audience tends to become.

"They are prepared to let themselves go a bit more."

Paul feels privilege to have been asked to star in Fiddler on the Roof.

"It's a show which people have a lot of affection for," he said.

May people will remember the film version with Topol in the title role.

"I am not going to do an impression of Topol," he said. "Don't get me wrong, he was brilliant in the role and there are elements of his performance which has shown me how the character should be played.

"But I hope to bring a little bit of my personality into the show too."

As one of the busiest performers in the business Paul began the three weeks of rehearsal for the tour the day after finishing his role of Aladdin in pantomime in Windsor.

"We were doing two shows a day and in between performances I would be learning my lines for Fiddler on the Roof," he said.

"Because it's a relatively short rehearsal period, you do need to know your lines before you start.

"I find learning lines a chore but it's something you have to do, then you get those magic moments when you finally feel that it's getting through.

"I've only once had to stop myself from saying my lines from Fiddler on the Roof while I was on stage in Aladdin."

Recently, as well as performing in musicals, Paul has also been producing shows. These have included the Jesus Christ Superstar, the Rocky Horror Show and a tour of Singing in the Rain.

This has given him a greater appreciation of the work of the producer.

"As a performer you basically just have to get your lines right and play your character," he said.

"The producer has got everything on his shoulders, including the risks.

"There is a lot of money riding on a show's success and that's down to the producer."

But for Fiddler On The Roof he's quite happy to take a lead role he's always dreamed of playing.

"I'm quite happy just to take the lead role," he said," although I was fortunate enough to be asked along to the casting for the show."

Although Paul is familiar with Blackpool, the opening night of Fiddler on the Roof will be his first time at the Grand.

"I've played the Opera House in Blackpool several times before," he said, "but the Grand is a much more intimate venue and I'm really looking forward to playing there."

But for Fiddler On The Roof he's quite happy to take a lead role he's always dreamed of playing.

Previews for Fiddler on the Roof at Blackpool's Grand Theatre run from Thursday, February 13 to Saturday, February 15.

The show runs from Monday February 17 for a week before embarking on a national tour.

JOHN ANSON