Star of stage and screen
Aside from starring in piles of his own TV specials, Evans has tread the boards and lit up the screen next to a who's who of hitmakers: Jack Dee, Brenda Blethyn, Jackie Chan, Michael Gambon, Kathy Burke, Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Bruce Willis, Jerry Lewis, Gary Oldman... But, instead of heading for the Hollywood Hills, Evans keeps going back to stand up. As he says, he doesn't feel at home unless he's onstage. His next tour, in which he's hitting arenas all around the country, is a testament to that.

Funny Bones
The picture that launched Evans's starship was Funny Bones, a black comedy in which he plays an unknown Blackpool stand-up. Appearing alongside Hollywood vets Oliver Platt and Jerry Lewis, Evans shines as the twisted anti-hero. The movie pleased critics and was lauded at film festivals all over Europe. Though it wasn't a box-office smash, it was most definitely a hit for Evans, putting his name in lights and giving lift-off to his film career.

Lee on stage
Recently Evans landed the coveted role in the London production of The Producers, a musical remake of the 1968 Mel Brooks film. It was one of last year's hottest tickets in New York, and a second run starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick sold out months in advance. No wonder, since the production won a record 12 Tony Awards. Lane will also star in the London version while Evans takes up Broderick's role as Leo Bloom, described by Mel Brooks as "a little, meagre caterpillar of an accountant." According to Brooks, Evans is perfect for the role: "He's taken to it like a puppy takes to the meadow. Romping. He has become Leo Bloom."

To finish off
"After every three shows, I have to chuck my suits away because they won't clean them any more."

"What I play on stage is an exaggeration of the real me - let's not beat about the bush, I'm an idiot."


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