JOHN Partridge admits that everything he has ever learned in his career has gone into his latest role in the award-winning musical La Cage Aux Folles.

The star of TV soaps EastEnders and Doctors, John plays Albin, drag act Zaza the main attraction at the infamous La Cage Aux Folles nightclub.

The musical is currently on its first UK tour and is heading to Manchester later this month.

“I feel really lucky that I get to roll up everything I have learned from my classical career and musical theatre career to TV and pantomime into this,” he said. “I get to use it all, my sexuality my heritage - it’s one of those rare moments where my personal life and professional life have all joined together in this wonderful life statement for me.”

The role has also got a highly personal connection for John.

“My mother passed away a few weeks ago and such a huge part of her is wrapped up in this role for me,” he said.

John’s mother Bridget was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010, and John has admitted he took part in last year’s Celebrity Big Brother to help pay for the costs of her care.

“La Cage Aux Folles asks questions about what does it mean to be a normal family and what does it mean to be a mother,” he said. “When I read the very first line of the script I could just hear my mum in the kitchen saying those words, That’s when I decided I wanted to play Albin in my own accent which is what I do.”

Born in Radcliffe, John admits that this northern approach caused a few raised eyebrows initially.

“But Bill Kenwright, the show’s producer, is the most gracious man I think ever worked for, He has been wonderful and he really gave me full reign to do as I pleased in some ways,” he said.

La Cage Aux Folles follows the story of Georges, the manager of a Saint Tropez nightclub, and his partner, Albin.

Georges’ son Jean-Michel announces his engagement to the daughter of a notorious right-wing politician determined to close down the local colourful night-life. A meeting of the parents forces them to cover up their vibrant lifestyle.

Although picking up numerous awards both in the West End and Broadway, this is the show’s first UK tour.

“It’s not your blockbuster 80s musical,” said John. “It’s not Cats, or Miss Saigon but I quite like the fact it’s a little less known.

“Having said that, there are people who know the show quite well or who have a firm idea of how it should be. But I am quite different to people who have played this role, I’m not your typical Albin and I really wanted to make it my own.

“Most people come and say they had no idea what they were coming to see and they were probably not expecting to enjoy it as much as they did and yet they leave the theatre feeling uplifted.

“You want people to walk out of those doors a little lighter than when they walked in - that’s what makes this business called show so great!”

Although initially it might seem unlikely that a musical set in a drag club in the South of France would have mass appeal, John believes the universal themes it covers genuinely connect with audiences.

“Virtually every night we have been on the road - and we have done over 100 shows - we have had a standing ovation and that’s very rare.

“The show covers topics that touch us all and crosses all sides of family life from gay to straight, old and young, black and white.

“It is a universal story and in today’s climate, stories that we all can relate to and take a heartwarming message from are so important.”

John’s co-star is Adrian Zmed who plays Georges. A leading Broadway performer, Adrian will probably be best known to UK audiences for his role in the Eighties cop show T J Hooker.

“TJ Hooker was not really my thing. I was more a Charlie’s Angels kid I have to say,” laughed John. “But Adrian is a lovely man, he has this old Broadway charm.”

West End leading lady Marti Webb is also in the show.

“My first professional role when I went into Cats when I was 16, Marti Webb was my Grizabella,” said John. “It’s like I’ve come full circle.”

The show represents a huge physical challenge for John.

“It takes me at least a good hour and a half to two hours in make-up before I even go into the warm-up,” he said “Through the show I go from man to woman, from man to woman, from man to woman - I have 14 costume changes in the first half alone.”

A team of six help John with lightning changes.

“There is a whole performance going on backstage to ensure that the front of house performance can go on,” he said.

La Cage Aux Folles, the Lowry, Salford Quays, Tuesday, June 13 to Saturday, June 17. Details from 0843 208 6005 or www.thelowry.com