Having seen Johnathan Cecil in costume as the bemused look-ing Mr Woodhouse for Emma, adapted for Good Company by Sue Pomeroy and Dennis Saunders from Jane Austen's classic novel, he re-appears in tweedy civvies, still looking rather quizzical.

But his looks belie the man, and I settle down to what was one of the most absorbing and pleasant interview experiences.

"I seem to have cornered the market in the dotty field," said Jonathan.

"I've played that kind of silly person rather a lot. I was the role model for Harry Enfield's Tim Nice-but-dim many years ago," he laughed.

He is perfect for the part of dotty Mr Woodhouse, the father of Emma. Having lost his wife, elder daughter Emma has been like a mother to her sister and has managed the household expertly. And she looks after her father.

"Mr Woodhouse does not believe in new fangled things like swimming. He is of an earlier generation and trades on his hy-pochondria. He is terrified of drafts and catching cold. He's a kindly old fellow but rather like a child," said Johnathan.

Jane Austen's Emma has been likened to Bridget Jones the witty world of singletons, matchmaking and gossip. I asked Johnathan if he thought this comparison was a valid one.

"The pressure on women in JaneAusten's era was to be married, to have status and a livelihood. Comparing Emma with Bridget is just likening their characters, but I feel they are not that similar .People don't have the same sense of duty. Emma was a new woman', a rather bold, outspoken person which was not the acceptable demenour for a woman of her age in society.

"Emma doesn't have to marry. She is financially secure and has status. She is not searching for a partner like Bridget," he said.

Jonathan Cecil is a long standing light comedy and classical actor, and very modest about his successful career.

"I started acting after I realised I had the knack for comedy while attending a debating society.

"I was typecast, I suppose, for the roles of dim, shy chaps. I was quite often in uniform as a jolly sort of serviceman. I was watching an episode of Dad's Army recently and I was in it! I was again a dotty young captain trying to control a pack of dogs on leashes.

"I also played hastings to Peter Ustinov's Poirot. It was marvellous working with him," he recalled.

Johnathan has never been short of work, although he claims he was left "a bit high and dry" in his forties.

He has co-starred in innumerable comedy series. Television work has seen him in Just William, Alice in Wonderland, The Rector's Wife, One Foot in the Grave and Albert and Victoria. Recent theatre roles have been Chasuble in The Importance of being Earnest (Chichester and Theatre Royal Haymarket) and an acclaimed Sir Bouneous in A Mad World My Masters (Shakespeare's Globe).

Previous West End successes include Cowardy Custard "I loved that!" The Bed Before Yesterday and Uncle Vanya.

"I prefer theatre, and if the money was better it would be nicer, " he said honestly.

Far from being dim, Johnathan has an extremely agile mind and comedy is very demanding he said. He also reveals that he has a BA from Oxford.

He is married to the award winning actress and singer Anna Sharkey. They met in 1972 during Cowardy Custard and have been "happily married for decades," and live in Hammersmith. The gentle smiling face clouds over momentarily as Johnathan said: "Sadly we have no children."

Whatof the future?

"As an actor you never know what is around the corner. I love touring, new places and new audiences. You know, you never stop learning from the audience.

"I like doing the classics, yet I would like to tackle something more way out and modern if the part was right for me," he replied. Dotty or otherwise, there will be more opportunities out there for this best of British actors.

Emma comes to The Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, on Tuesday, March 5 and runs until Saturday, March 9.Evening performances are at 7.45pm and matinees on Wednesday and Saturday are at 2.30pm. Tickets are from £9 to £17.50 from Fairfield box office on 020 8688 9291.