Light fingered Trigger's happy

Think the Middle Ages, Sweden, at the time of the Great Plague. In a village ravaged by sickness, only six people survive. The values of civilisation are being overtaken by barbarism. I play a character who yearns for a recovery of law and order. Taken from a book by Swedish writer Torgny Lindgren, Light shows a fragmented society where moral order has broken down. It sounds bleak, but the play has a dark humour and a sense of optimism rises out of it.

In rehearsal we did a lot of improvisation, which was very satisfying. It's great to be able to contribute to a play like this. Simon McBurney, the director, has a brilliant vision but he's exacting in what he demands from you. The level of physical training required, for instance, surprised me, with yoga, bench work, stretches and running games. It did motivate me to get fitter, though! The Theatre de Complicite company are a great bunch. You work hard as a team, and you swiftly realise that the end justifies the means.

At present, I've got Emily [Lloyd], my daughter, hanging out at home. She's "in between" roles but is reading for a part at the Almeida at the weekend. She and I have not worked together, but I hope at some point we will. It would be nice to.

In the New Year I'll work out what to do next. I was due to shoot another three episodes of Only Fools And Horses in January, but that's been put back to April. Next year is the 20th anniversary of Only Fools And Horses, so I think they're going to make something of that. It also wouldn't surprise me if I get asked to do more of The Vicar Of Dibley. Richard Curtis is always busy but I think he's just taking a break at the moment. I've been very lucky to have starred in two successful sitcoms but audiences only see you in a certain way, so it's nice in a play like this to surprise them sometimes.

Light