1. What do you most enjoy about playing the role of Juan Peron in Evita?
I rather enjoy waving my arms about like Will Robinson robot in Lost In Space. I have long arms and it is nice to use them. I think every actor should play a dictator once in their life. Its good for upper body strength. And the other great pleasure is I get to "play" with Elena Roger. It is wonderful to do a musical where the acting feels so spontaneous that you don't realise you're singing.

2. You are well known for playing serious roles but you have branched out to some comedic roles such as in the production A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Do you have a preference?
I have done a lot of comedy. People here in England just haven't seen it. And I enjoy doing it. It is just that there aren't many musicals around which have parts for comic characters. At least leading roles that require a substantial amount of singing. And you have to be able to dance. I can't dance won't dance. That's an experience which I think the audience should be spared.

3. In your career you have won three Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. What role are you most proud of to date?
I have to say I think my best performances in musicals were ones I didn't win awards for. Javert and Archie in Secret Garden. And when I say "best" I actually mean the ones I worked hardest at and which came at the greatest cost. Secret Garden was a killer both vocally and physically and I was hugely disappointed that we received wonderful reviews in Stratford and the same reviewers panned it in London. I think they resented the fact that Adrian Noble was going "freelance" and could earn a royalty. Steve Sondheim told me once that artists aren't allowed to be rich or earn money. Critics hate it and so do producers. We are meant to suffer for our art.

4. What was your first theatrical experience that made you think, "I want to do this job?"
There is/was no epiphany. I just slid into it, really. I am too suspicious of creativity to think that I chose the profession. I would rather believe it chose me. I had nothing to do with it. If I feel I am in control and have a say in the matter I deserve to get bitten by my ego.

5. What was the last show you saw in the West End and did you enjoy it?
I rarely go to musicals. I saw Howard Davies production of "Gallileo" at the National. I love Howard's work and was directed by him just before "Evita". I also love Simon Russell-Beale. In fact I took Elena. She is on an odyssey and remarkably is working 24 hours a day on her English. Mmmmm. I am in awe of people who can speak more than one languge. She speaks three.

6. You have co-starred alongside many famous faces. Who would be your ideal co-star living or past?
I would have loved to have seen or worked with Rex Harrison. I believe he was difficult and would probably have eaten me alive but it would have been fascinating to see how he came up with that performance in "My Fair Lady". I also think as far as female singers are concened Judy Kuhn has something remarkable about her. I watched her at the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert and was fascinated by her acting and its seamlessness. But really I don't have any particular person I would kill to work with. Directors are the people I lust for. They push you and cajole you. I've been lucky to work with a litany of the best. I leave it to them to choose who goes with her. Again it really isn't up to me to choose.

7. From performing in front of kids in playschool concerts, to serious dramas such as The White Devil, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage in front of a live audience?
It's all scary. Even playschool concerts. I get terrified before any performance no matter how big or small and have to give myself a talking to before I go on. I enjoy film making though it's flying with a safety net. The audience is funnelled through that tiny aperture. And there could be millions out there. But you only have to capture a series of moments A live audience is immediate and you have to sustain a whole portion of time.

8. What is your ideal way to spend a day in London?
In my shed making things or doing odd jobs - fixing broken things be it plumbing or furniture. Or a visit to the Sir John Soanes museum is luxury and bliss.

9. Where can we next see Philip Quast?
Haven't got a clue. Tonight at the Adelphi in Evita at 7:30 pm.

Click here to buy tickets to see Philip Quast as Juan Peron at Adelphi Theatre.