THE last time I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth Madoc we were 'shipwrecked' on Drake's Island with John Nettles and a crew of dubious pirates.
It was part of a panto publicity stunt for 'Treasure Island' at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth.
Now the vivacious actress is appearing further along the coast at Torbay where she is starring with James Smillie in the musical 42nd Street. Ruth plays the part of fading star Dorothy.
'I'm delighted to have the role of "Dear Dot" as I call her. It is one of a doyen of parts at my age — the latter end of 50.'
She had seen the show at the Drury Lane Theatre many years ago and thought she would one day love to play the part.
'I'm really thrilled about it. It is an all-singing, all-dancing glitzy eyes-and-teeth production. It is a really feel-good show to take part in and to enjoy as a member of the audience.'
When Dorothy breaks a leg it gives the opportunity to a young hopeful from the chorus line to step into the spotlight and shine.
Ruth's character is a has-been star struggling to hold on. But when a long-lost boyrfiend turns up she knows that is where she should be.
'Most musicals today only have about two tunes that are memorable — sometimes there isn't even one! But with 42nd Street there are at least six songs. They are standards.'
She says the songs are constructed in such a way that they are particularly succinct.
'The scenes don't go on very long. The music takes the story along which is what it should do. The action shouldn't stand still to accommodate a song because, in my opinion, a piece of music is one way you can convey 20 pages of dialogue.'
After this 16-week tour finishes Ruth gets into the panto season and then embarks on a 26-week tour of Agatha Christie's 'A Murder is Announced'.
She has recently been filming with Jonathan Price and Rachael Griffiths for a movie that is currently travelling under the working title of 'Pavarotti in Dad's Room'.
She has also returned to her Welsh roots for a television pilot which could spawn a series called 'Wedding Party'.
'It is about a Welsh family and a Hindu family — and I play the up-tight Presbyterian mother,' laughs Ruth.
She is still warmly remembered for playing Gladys Pugh in the hugely successful BBC comedy series Hi De Hi.
'Every day of my life someone will say "Hello, campers" to me. At least people remember the show and Gladys with great affection — and that is why people often come to see me in the theatre.'
The part was specially created for her by the writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft — something she is particularly proud of and very grateful for.
'Those were halcyon times. Quite frankly I was nearly 40 and Hi De Hi couldn't have been better because being between 40 and 50 is a funny age in this business. To get that part was wonderful. We had an audience of 17 million.'
She says she was sad that the series did not feature in the best 40 programmes because the writing was so good.
Ruth is happy moving between theatre and television and film.
Being on tour and living out of suitcases is a way of life she happily takes in her stride.
'I have a 35-year old son and a 26-year old daughter and I brought them both up back-stage,' she says.
'They always said it gave them a sense of occasion. They appreciated that there was a code of behaviour that was always understood.
'You didn't shout and run about. And you had regard for fellow artists and I think that is what they appreciated.'
42nd Street is at the Princess Theatre, Torquay from October 16-21. Box office: 01803 290290.