FRIENDSHIP both on and off the stage is taking up most of Stephen Tompkinson’s time.

The star of DCI Banks and Wild at Heart has swapped TV to tour in a production of the award-winning comedy, Art, which comes to the Lowry, Salford Quays, next week.

He is sharing the stage with Nigel Havers and Denis Lawson in the play which looks at how three close friends react when one of them pays a huge amount of money for a work of modern art.

For Stephen - and for Nigel - it marks a return to a play they first appeared in 18 years ago.

“We were both rehearsing for the show next door to each other,” said Stephen. “I was getting to make my West End debut in the show and Nigel was going to take the production on a national tour.”

For the current tour, the cast have been able to add their own stamp to the production.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to start afresh with it rather than following the template from the original production. It’s definitely our production. It helps that I’ve known the other two for over 20 years. It’s vital people believe in the friendship. I’ve always got on great with these two, they are brilliant company and wonderful actors and it’s coming across.

“We are having a ball and people are engaging with it immediately so that’s half the battle before you step on to the stage.”

Stephen plays Ivan who tries to be the peacekeeper when Serge (Nigel Havers) buys an all white painting much to the scorn of Ivan (Denis Lawson) and he admits that it’s a case of art very much imitating life.

“Nigel does seriously adore the painting and wanted to buy it when he did it originally and was told he couldn’t,,” said Stephen. “Denis on the other hand is quite cold to it and I’m stuck in the middle.

“So there’s no acting required at all, it’s money for old rope!”

Joking aside, Stephen admits that although a relatively short production, Art puts heavy demands on the cast.

“The tensions get quite high and especially when we were rehearsing, we were mentally drained by the end of the day as we’d just spent six hours rowing. It does take it out of you.

“It goes at a heck of a lick and you have to be there for each other in case the ball should drop - we have to pick it up immediately. It’s lovely to have that trust.”

Written by Yasmina Reza, Art has won awards in the West End and Broadway.

“It is so beautifully written,” said Stephen. “It’s a woman observing men and specifically three Parisian men. It would have been a very different play if it had been set in the UK. We’d have to talk about sport non stop for a start!

“It is interesting how differently the play is perceived in France. Yasmina was actually upset when it won the Olivier Comedy Award as she doesn’t see it as a comedy at all, But then we do like laughing at the French so perhaps that has something to do with it.

“It’s a real, delight to play and the reaction from the audience is always fantastic.”

Art, the Lowry, Salford Quays Monday, March 26 to Saturday, March 31. Details from 0843 208 6005 or www.thelowry.com