BWW INTERVIEWS: Julian Ovenden of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

Hi, Julian, and welcome to BWW:UK. How's rehearsal going?

It's tech week, and it's a very technical show, so we're just ironing out as many things as we can. But the start of previews is very close now.

Tell me about the character that you're playing.

He's called Frank Butler, and he's a champion marksman and sharpshooter, part of a travelling Wild West show. He's very self-confident, charming and egotistical. Then his whole world is challenged when he meets Annie Oakley, as he finds he's not all he made himself out to be.

It's quite an old-fashioned show. Have you done anything to it to make it more up-to-date?

We've not done anything radical. I think competitiveness between two people is still relevant, and the battle of the sexes still intrigues. Of course, it's all about cowboys and Indians, so we have to make that as relevant as we can!

Are you any good at shooting?

No, but I've been practising!

On a shooting range?

No, just with a toy gun in the background!

Oh, I thought you were going to say that you'd been going to funfairs and shooting at tin cans or something!

And winning teddy bears?

Yes, and goldfish!

Ha, no, no.

What have you been up to for the rest of the year?

I've been filming a rom-com, and doing little bits and bobs here and there, and now I'm in this show until January. It's been full on.

Are you expecting a West End transfer?

It's too early to say yet! I quite fancy having a rest for a while. I'd also like to do a new musical - I don't know what. And I'd like to do more film work too.

Is there anybody you'd still like to work with?

There are lots of good directors I would like to work with; I want to be inspired and challenged by them. Richard Jones, who's directing Annie Get Your Gun, is interesting and imaginative, and he makes coming into work such a joy.

What about co-stars?

I'd like to be in a play with Mark Rylance. As for film, there are hundreds of people. Let me think. Hmm...Pacino!

What's the last thing you saw in the West End?

A Streetcar Named Desire. I have a friend in it, and I enjoyed it very much. I've no idea what the last musical was I saw - maybe Sunday In The Park With George. I'm not much of a musical-goer; they don't really appeal to me. I don't like too much commercialisation; I like anything with a great story.

So is that how you decide on a project - something with a good story?

Yes, it's a combination - a good story, a good director, and the whole feeling of it. But I just like doing lots of different things!

Julian Ovenden stars with Jane Horrocks in Annie Get Your Gun at the Young Vic from October 3 to January 2.

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