DB: Can you briefly outline the story from your character's perspective?

Mark: In the beginning the prince is a spoilt and selfish young man who, through his faults, manages to get a terrible spell placed upon himself and all those who live and work in the castle.

Transformed into the Beast, the enchantress tells him that unless he can learn to love and earn the love of another before the last petal of a magical rose falls he will be doomed to remain a Beast forever.

The prince is ashamed of his monstrous form and hides away in the west wing of his castle.

His whole world is turned upside down when he meets Belle. At first he can't stand her – she is the one person who stands up to him and even calls him a bully.

Throughout the show the Beast is taken on a magical journey of emotions as he learns to control his temper and eventually tries to earn the love of Belle, all the while wondering if Belle could ever truly learn to love a Beast.

Which songs or dance routines are you looking forward to performing?

Mostly, the Beast's and Belle's waltz while the title song is performed. This is one of the standout moments for fans of the film and I hope I do it justice.

I am very much looking forward to performing my big number which comes at the end of the first half. It wasn't in the film originally and was written for the stage show.

After working so hard to try to impress Belle in the first half of the show the Beast scares Belle after he catches her in the forbidden west wing of his castle.

Frightened Belle runs away from the castle, and the Beast sings If I Can't Love Her where he tells the audience if he can't love Belle let the world be done with me.

It's a beautiful and emotional song to sing and the big ending to Act 1. Hopefully, the audience will enjoy it as much as I do.

For much of the performance you will be the Beast with your face covered. What difficulties does this present as an actor?

The costume I'm wearing for the show is like nothing I've ever worn on stage before. All of the character's costumes are very elaborate and I also wear quite a lot of prosthetics and make-up and lots of fake fur.

To begin with it was very difficult to breathe with the make-up on. It's almost like wearing a balloon over your nose but you soon become used to it.

I need help from two separate people to get ready for each performance, one to help me into make-up, prosthetics, and wigs, and then wardrobe in order to transform me into character.

This process takes around an hour before each performance.

Can you tell us how you became involved with BLOGs?

I was originally introduced to BLOGs through my music teacher at school, Pat Dowling, while I was studying for my music A-levels.

Pat had been a part of BLOGs and knowing that I loved performing thought it would be good for me to join.

After seeing the guys do their work in Me And My Girl at the Theatre Royal, I jumped at the chance and I auditioned back in 2004 and took part in The Pirates Of Penzance with the group. After a spell away I came back this year to perform with the group again.

I have always performed in and around my local area – performing with Midsomer Norton Theatre Group and their production of Blues Brothers as well as singing with St Peter's Church Choir for around ten years.

I also performed with the Susan Hill School of Dance and their annual shows for a few years, which was a great experience for me.

Are you nervous about performing on the stage?

I'm very nervous but even more excited to be on stage in this show. It's always nerve-wracking to play a leading part – but the other cast members help to put me at ease.

The sets, costumes and music are fantastic and in this part I have some very big shoes to fill.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01225 448844 or online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk.