A SERIES of coincidences led Drop the Dead Donkey star Neil Pearson to his latest stage role as an American major in post-war Germany.

Neil's co-star, veteran actor Julian Glover, thought the TV star would be ideal for the role of Major Steve Arnold in Ronald Harwood's Taking Sides. The play is based on the American post-Third Reich investigation into renowned conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler, who was accused of collaborating with the Nazis during the Second World War.

Neil said: "I was very flattered that Julian thought of me - I know the play was something that he had wanted to do for some time and he is perfect for the part of Furtwangler. By coincidence I had recently seen the movie that had been made of the play and I knew the material. Doubly coincidentally at the same time I went to see a show Julian was in and went round to see him afterwards."

Taking Sides writer Ronald Harwood also wrote the Oscar-winning film The Pianist, an achievement that is not lost on Neil. "I am always attracted to work if the writing is good and writing does not come much better than Ronald Harwood, as his Oscar success shows.

"In effect the play is a courtroom drama in which the pendulum swings from prosecution to defence through the entire evening. It is timeless and its themes are as prevalent now as they were then what does a good man do when confronted with a horrific situation? Crucially, what would we do?"

The show began its national tour in September last year and Neil says he has been impressed with the response of the audiences. He said: "Reaction has been superb and what has been especially gratifying with this show is the way it taps into the age group that traditionally comes to matinees."

Though best known for his television roles as Drop the Dead Donkey's serial womaniser Dave Charnley and Detective Superintendent Tony Clark in Between the Lines, Neil is also a prolific stage actor. One of his best credits is the West End's Olivier Award-winning drama Closer in which he starred alongside Frances Barber.

Neil explains: "I go where the good work is and I am lucky in that I can chose - that is a nice position to be in. It would be foolish to do one medium to the exclusion of all others." True to his word Neil has just finished filming on the sequel Bridget Jones film in which he returns to play Bridget's boss for the second time.

One recent project of Neil's that has not fared quite so well is the BBC1 sitcom Trevor's World of Sport, written by Andy Hamilton, the man behind Drop the Dead Donkey.

Mr Hamilton claimed the show was 'dragged off air' after poor ratings led to it being moved round the schedules.

Clearly Neil shares the writer's sentiment: "The show was treated very badly and I think the BBC rightly regrets that now - they got scared. You do not move stuff half way through a series, it looks bad.

"The show was a huge critical success and their moving it left them quite justifiably open to accusations of dumbing down. The irony was the replacement was Only Fools and Horses - a comedy which for two-and-half series no one watched.

"I think it will be a shame if BBC1 is ratings-led and if you don't have 10million viewers on episode one you are out the door. It is a recipe for disaster as far as quality is concerned and the ghetto of excellence becomes ever smaller."

Taking Sides is at the Festival Theatre, Malvern from Monday, February 9 to Saturday, February 14. Contact the box office on 01684 892277.