FOR what, by his own count, was the 251st time, actor Antony Holland took on the role of ailing sociology professor Morrie Schwartz when he appeared in Tiverton last week.

Despite its bank holiday afternoon scheduling in a community centre not used to staging theatre, this was a big occasion for Tiverton as it marked Antony's first professional appearance in the town for almost 70 years.

Since leaving Britain, Antony has forged a distinguished acting career in Canada, appearing in more than 100 films, countless TV shows and receiving four Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Now aged 90, Antony continues to perform, and the role with which he has become most associated in latter years is a demanding one; a dialogue-heavy two-hander that even features a spot of dancing.

Tuesdays with Morrie tells the story of Mitch, who visits his old college professor Morrie during the last months of the older man's life as Lou Gehrig's Disease takes its toll.

It is based on the true story of author Mitch Albom — a successful American sportswriter and broadcaster — who learns there is more to life that material success.

The performance at Sunningmead Community Centre in Tiverton on Monday, August 30, was part of a double bill of theatre. It was followed by a performance of Jake's Gift, an acclaimed drama about a Normandy veteran's friendship with a young girl. The play was written by and stars Julia Mackey, the partner of Dirk Van Stralen, who played the role of Mitch alongside Holland.

After receiving a round of applause before the performance had even begun, Antony told the audience, the last time he had performed in Tiverton he had been 19 at the time. Antony said he had debated whether to plan another visit to England, but was delighted his hometown of Tiverton was the venue as the play was being performed "for the first time that I know of" in the UK.

The play was presented by Antony's own No Bells & Whistles Theatre Company, a name which reflected its founders belief in a minimalist style without elaborate stage setting or big production values. He said: "If the writing is strong, if the story is strong, if the actors are strong, you don't need all the other stuff."

Antony said he had been playing the role of Morrie on and off for around five years. He said: "A director asked me if I could play the part. I hadn't heard of it, but I went away and read the book, and knew it was something I could do.

"I get to spend most of the play sitting in a wheelchair while the younger actor does all the moving around."

Anthony said the play seemed to translate well for a British audience. He said: "The audience was unprepared for what the play would be, but they responded well to it, as Canadians audiences have."

His last performance in Tiverton, Antony recalled, had come at a time of great upheaval. He said; "I went away to drama school in London but that folded because of the outbreak of the Second World War, and so I came back to Tiverton.

"While I was waiting for my call up I decided to form a drama company and we did a production of Night Must Fall."

Antony said he had gone to drama school at night, while during the day he was employed as a secretarial typist to pay for his classes.

During the rest of his visit, Antony hopes to travel to London to immerse himself in theatre and hopes to meet up with some old friends.

A couple of former pupils from his post-war days as vice principal at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School came along from Cornwall and Dorset, to see the production in Tiverton.