How is the tour going so far?

“We have a world class production here in every sense, so it’s great. We had a long rehearsal period and are constantly working hard on the show. You always want it to be as good as it can be and at the moment we’re conscious we want the production to be good value for money for the audience. We’re the vehicle for telling a wonderful story and the great thing about doing a long tour like this is that you really get the chance to refine it and polish it. We’ve been getting great responses and I think it really has resonance for people.”

What attracted you to The Sound of Music?

“Well it got fantastic reviews when it opened in London and they are a pretty tough lot to crack because they get to see just about everything! They were comparing it to The Producers, Phantom and Mary Poppins of course, so I knew it was a special production. I was attracted by the people and the story and the fact I hadn’t done a musical for a long time and rather wanted to.”

What do you like so much about Captain Von Trapp?

“His journey is immense. You have a man who is emotionally detached from his children because they remind him too much of his lost love. But by the end of it, not only has he taken on the Nazis and found love, he’s won back his children as well.”

Your co-star Connie Fisher took a very different route into musical theatre from the traditional way. How do you feel about reality TV shows?

“That’s a very interesting question. Of course we will never know, but I think we might not be sat here having this conversation if a reality show had not been put on which revitalised this show and made it so hugely successful again.

“Putting on a musical is phenomenally expensive, we’re talking millions of pounds, and nothing is guaranteed in this business. You can’t blame the producer for using a reality TV show to the show’s advantage and as long as the person is good then who cares? I see it from the producer’s point of view, but also the audience’s. If I went along to see someone who can’t sing or dance and has just left Big Brother, I would see that as cynical. Connie is brilliant, so it’s different types of reality TV, I suppose.”

Are you looking forward to coming back to Southampton?

“Oh very much, it’s been ten years since I was at The Mayflower with Copacabana and earlier in my career I used to do a lot at The Nuffield, in fact I started my career there. They’re both lovely theatres and it will be great to be back.”

Stage, TV or film?

“Unless you are one of the chosen few who get to choose from what’s out there, when you’re out of work you take what is on offer. But I’ve been very lucky to often have work in all genres which has been hugely interesting. But all actors have to compete and most have been out of work, that’s why I can really empathise with people who are currently out of work for whatever reason. I really feel for them. Hopefully for the people that can afford to come and see the show, we can help them forget everything for a couple of hours!”

• Michael appears in The Sound of Music at The Mayflower from Tuesday until October 24. Box office: 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk.