Colin has a chatsky

   "When I see a script it interests me if it isn't simple - any script which ends up sorted
out makes for boring drama," he maintains.

   Firth is shortly to appear at Richmond Theatre in Chatsky, amusingly subtitled The Importance Of Being Stupid, translated by Anthony Burgess from a romantic verse comedy by Alexander Griboyedov.

   Firth believes that the Richmond audience will see the play at its best as it has already had a run in the West End, a reversal of normal theatre practice.

   "The play has had a mixed reception - some people think it's the best thing they've ever seen and some think it's awful. But its unique language and examination of issues is extremely invigorating," Firth comments.

   He is probably best known for his television roles in Tumbledown, where he played a soldier recovering from his injuries during the Falklands conflict, and Hostages, in which he took the role of John McCarthy.

   Both works were the subject of intense discussion in the media but Firth has no regrets about his part in either project. 

   "I didn't speak to John McCarthy because he had distanced himself from the project by that time but it was very successful in the USA. Tom Sutherland, one of the American hostages held with McCarthy and Waite, joined the publicity for the show because he thought it was so realistic," he said.

   Firth is unsurprised that controversy over the Falklands is still around, even 11 years after the conflict ended.

   "There has never been a war where horrible things didn't happen - I am always amazed by people's naivety. There is this belief that British soldiers could not commit atrocities, but army training turns you into a person who enjoys hurting others."

   Firth is full of praise for Kenneth Branagh, with whom he worked in the 1986 film, A Month In The Country. Firth describes him as enthusiastic, tenacious, very funny and ultimately entertaining.

   "All his achievements have been on his own merits,"Firth said. "He is the only person taking risks in this country and it is extraordinary that he does it. 

   "We shouldn't criticise," he warns. 
                                                                                                                                                 ---DAVID BRINE