Bossing about Nick Bottom and screaming at Ralph Fiennes – it's all in a day's work for professional Newcastle actor Paul McCleary. Tamzin Hindmarch meets one of the stars at the New Vic tonight in Arthur Miller's The Price

THERE are actors who rarely find themselves out of work, and anyone who has seen Paul McCleary in one of his various reincarnations at the New Vic would appreciate why.

Not only has he bagged himself a cushy number playing Midsummer Night's Dream mechanical Peter Quince in a Glyndebourne production of The Fairy Queen later this year, but the 57-year-old also has his own one-man show in Edinburgh in the summer.

He says: "I've been at the National Theatre for the last six months in Oedipus, with Ralph Fiennes as Oedipus, so that was quite exciting.

"It was set in modern dress and I was a member of the town council – the bolshy one. It meant I got to have a big rant at Oedipus at the end of the play when the truth is finally discovered that he is married to his mother. I had to scream at Ralph at that point.

"It was great! He was a really nice bloke and fantastic company. He was always going to New York to sell his latest film whenever we had a couple off days off.

"One night, myself and the rest of the cast all went for a meal at The Ivy with him and sat reading through his script for Coriolanus, which will be his directing debut."

Returning to closer to home, however, he says he can't wait to get his teeth into his meaty part as Walter in The Price in Basford tonight – especially as it means a return to one of his favourite stomping grounds, the New Vic, and working again with director Robin Herford.

The latter's production of Stephen Mallatratt's The Woman In Black is currently celebrating its 20th year in the West End, and is second only to The Mousetrap as its longest-running play.

"I find him to be very gentleman-ly, very charming, and quiet," says Paul of Robin. "He creates a steady atmosphere during rehearsals, so it's all very friendly and non-competitive."

As for putting his own stamp on this particular production, he adds: "He has made it real and truthful, and I think he has cast it very well, too."

For those unfamiliar with the plot of Miller's 1968 masterpiece, at the heart of the story are two estranged brothers who are reunited when Gregory Solomon, a 90-year-old furniture dealer, is asked to put a price on an attic full of furniture.

The father of the two siblings was a millionaire during the 1920s, but then lost everything in the Wall Street Crash.

"This happened just as the boys were heading off to college or university," explains Paul.

"My character, Walter, carried on with his schooling and became a successful doctor and a rich man, whereas the younger brother, Vic, joined the police force so he could be sure of a steady job and salary while he stayed at home to look after their dad.

"It's a play that's gut-wrenching but with a lot of laughter as well, especially from the furniture dealer, who is being played by Christopher Godwin. In the past it has been played by Warren Mitchell among others. His lines often puncture all the heavier stuff that is going on.

"Even though it's all set in an attic, there's continuous action and it's a wonderful piece. Having two brothers of my own, it's fairly close to my own heart in the sense that, like all brothers, we've had our ups and downs. Arthur Miller wrote proper plays. They have some great dialogue in them, but they are very moving."

The Price can be seen at the New Vic Theatre in Basford from Friday, February 20, to Saturday, March 14. Call the box office on 01782 717962.