Lou Treleaven meets the actor who plays Ray Plastic on his private island in Fiji.
Rufus, you're primarily known as a stage actor. What attracted you to a part in a long-running TV soap, and how does this fit into your career plan?
Well, Lou, not many people know this, but when I was offered the park of Ray Plastic I initially turned it down!
No!
It's true! I was in the middle of a run of Judas - the Musical at the Geilgud, I had Romeo lined up and it just wasn't a good time for me.
Bit old for Romeo.
Pardon?
I said it's a bit cold for Romeo. Tights and... stuff. So - what happened to make you change your mind?
Well, Judas closed early, Romeo & Juliet was banned on obscenity charges and... it was like someone wanted me to do this part.
The casting director?
No, someone higher.
The executive producer?
No, higher than that. This part - it was meant for me. Here is a man who finds himself in a plastic world. Is it real? Is he real? How come he can never change his clothes or put down his newspaper? Ray Plastic is me.
I'm sorry to hear that.
I'm talking metaphorically. Do you know what that means, Lou? It's like, when you compare something to something else. No, that's a simile.
"Juliet is the sun."
Who?
You did say you were going to play Romeo?
It was a modern interpretation expressed through the medium of Irish dance.
Right. No wonder it was banned.
What did you say?
I said, wonderful band. For the lovely Irish music. Thank you, Rufus. I'll let you get back to your luxurious celebrity lifestyle.
Thanks.
