FORMER EastEnder Michael Cashman brings the Bard to the boards of Blackpool next week with an award-winning show at the Grand Theatre.

Cashman takes the role of Prospero in the Shared Experience Theatre's production of The Tempest, Shakespeare's mystical play about revenge and reconciliation.

He has spoken to the Citizen about his current tour with the production, which has taken him to Israel, Japan and Korea.

Michael said: "The production has gone down very well everywhere so far and now we are on the last leg of the tour.

"I'm looking forward to coming to Blackpool - I always do, because I have family and friends there.

"It's always nice to go back to Blackpool."

"And the Grand Theatre is just wonderful. As with all Matcham theatres, the acoustics are fantastic - I just wish all theatres were built like his.

"It's great to be working with Shared Experience Theatre. It's a group I have always admired and I'm delighted to be in this production of the Tempest."

Although Michael has been seen on TV and cinema screens - he played Colin in EastEnders and Bilton in Doctor Who - his first love is theatre.

He explained: "I have been in theatre since I was 12 and love it.

"In theatre, you are continually recreating things to keep them fresh and every night there is always something different going on."

Michael Cashman will appear in The Tempest at the Grand Theatre from February 6-8.

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