Full steam ahead for former soap stars Christopher Harper and John Middleton in new production of Strangers On A Train

SOME actors will go through their career without ever having a part that really catches the public’s imagination.

Christopher Harper and John Middleton each had the good fortune to find dream parts this year, and both took full advantage, playing their respective roles so well that their storylines crossed over into mainstream consciousness.

As evil Nathan Curtis, Christopher was part of Coronation Street’s grooming and exploitation plot, while John left behind his Emmerdale character of Vicar Ashley Thomas after 21 years, having taken part in a deeply moving dementia storyline.

These are real life issues that affect thousands of people, something Christopher and John reflected upon as they sat together to chat about the new stage production they star in, Strangers On A Train.

“We were both really moved by the number of people who approached us in the street, whose lives had been affected by these two issues,” commented Christopher, whose Corrie character was jailed for his crimes.

“Although the producers say they are not issue-led, they care about the characters and variety of the storylines, and talk to victims, campaigners and others affected.”

John, who was in Emmerdale from 1996, agrees.

“When the story was pitched to me, I just thought it would be great.

“It was only when I started researching it that I realised the enormous responsibility we were taking on,” he said.

“Hardly a day goes by when someone doesn’t stop in the street to talk about the story.

“It did incredibly well at awards, so we know we did it right and it had resonance.

“Our shows are popular, so they’re expected to be populist. But people would be furious if we did that, so we hold out a hand to people and tell them they’re not alone.”

Christopher is involved with a number of organisations related to the exploitation storyline, including becoming an NSPCC ambassador, while John is close to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Also part of the Strangers On A Train cast is Hannah Tointon, of Mr Selfridge and Hollyoaks, and Call The Midwife’s Jack Ashton.

It’s a taut psychological drama from The Talented Mr Ripley writer, Patricia Highsmith, and was immortalised on screen in Alfred Hitchcock’s Oscar-winning film.

The plot centres on a fateful encounter between two men in the dining carriage of a train crossing America. Guy Haines is the businessman with a nagging doubt about the fidelity of his wife, while Charles Bruno is a cold, calculating chancer with a dark secret.

A dangerous plan develops from their chat, setting in motion a chain of events that will change their lives.

John and Christopher are looking forward to treading the boards in Glasgow once again.

“I worked in the Citizens Theatre many years ago,” recalled John. “I had no ambition to be in TV back then, I just wanted to be a stage actor. But as kids and other responsibilities came along, I had to earn some money – there’s not much of it in theatre, so I was lucky when Emmerdale came around.”

Christopher smiled: “I came up with Matthew Kelly in Twelfth Night in 2005 and just loved it here.

“I got a guided tour of the city and sampled a few local refreshments!”

Described as a psychopathic playboy, Charles Bruno is another meaty role for Christopher and he says his character is a “sad and broken individual”.

John plays Detective Arthur Gerard.

“It’s my job to realise what’s gone on and why, and the consequences of it all,” he explained.

“By coincidence, I had just read the book when the role came along. I looked over the script and was happy to see it was close to the book.”

Christopher added: “The tone of Patricia Highsmith’s books is so dark and there is a constant sense of dread.

“It’s an engrossing and disturbing play, taking in relevant subjects of today such as politics and sexuality, even though it’s from the 1950s.

“I’m looking forward to performing it in Glasgow. The audience really become part of it and come on a journey with us.

“It just demonstrates the power of storytelling.”

They might have left their soap characters behind, but it’s full steam ahead for Christopher and John.

Strangers On A Train, Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Jan 22-27