ANDREA SADLER is a versatile actress.

In the new Proteus play Colonel Cody, which hits Central Studio later this month, she manages to play a total of 10 parts, including Cody's ex-wife, a porpoise and even a French plane.

A porpoise and a plane?

She explains: "Cody has a kind of epiphany when he's sailing, and decides that he needs to find his purpose in life and it turns into a kind of dream sequence where he has a conversation with two talking porpoises, one of which is me."

Ten characters in one performance - however will she manage it?

"The way it's set up, some will be a change of hat or a change of coat, and quite easy hopefully, but I am going to be kept quite busy! Sometimes when you have found a voice for the character that really helps get you into it."

Colonel Cody tells the fascinating tale of the legendary adventurer, who as well as bringing Wild West shows to these shores, was also the first man to fly an aeroplane in the UK.

Andrea worked with Proteus last year on the winter tour, and is delighted to be back, having really enjoyed the experience.

"I particularly like working with Proteus - they are very nice to operate with.

"The show that I did last year they loved as we always do quite a lot of audience participation which goes down very well and people get involved. For this play, sometimes they take part in the crowd scenes they might be cheering something, making Sioux warrior noises and just adding a bit of atmosphere really.

"Because the show last year and this one are new writing, there's a lot of opportunity for the actors to have some input both in terms of how the text runs in the end and in terms of how to stage it."

Andrea also runs a company with her boyfriend. Called Big Hair Productions, they took their play Diane and Ross The Awesome Years to this year's Edinburgh Festival.

But for the moment, she's very happy to be touring with Proteus.

"I didn't know about small scale rural touring before having worked with this company, but having gone to these places... for some people, literally, a show like ours coming in is very much all they will have in terms of plays being put on unless there are small local productions.

"It is so important that theatre is taken to people who live in the outlying areas - especially for young people as it introduces them to the concept."

Andrea will be appearing in Central Studio as part of the cast of Colonel Cody from November 19 to 22. Tickets are available from the box office on 01256 418318.