ALEX Robertson smiles as he talks about how he wallowed in fake blood every night, delighting in watching scenes of murder and madness.

He was 'absolutely inspired' watching James McAvoy on stage over a three month period last year in Macbeth.

Now, the experience of working at London's Trafalgar Studios, has given Alex the idea on which he's set to build his career.

Actor/singer Alex, who was a finalist in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar auditions, was working as a stage hand at the Trafalgar.

Now, he's starring in the Webster's Theatre production of The Count of Monte Cristo. And he reveals this new show came about as a result of his Macbeth experience.

"It rained blood on stage and I was filthy for three months," he says of McAvoy's futuristic, squalid, Macbeth. "But I thought it was incredible. I learned a lot watching James.

"I learned how he picked his moments of strength and weakness, and jumped between the two. And this has really helped me in playing the Count, a fragile man who loves his wife, but has to go out and find revenge.

"But just as importantly, it gave me the idea of how to stage this new rock musical of The Count of Monte Cristo."

Alex and Webster's Theatre boss Pete Sneddon initially developed The Count as a period piece.

"But after seeing Macbeth, I realised this re-setting into a dirty, grungy, gritty world really worked. It brought people down to the basics of humanity.

"And it gave me the idea; why not set the Count in this post apocalyptic world?"

Alex, 27, explains: "We've taken the story and the characters out of the world of the book. This new world is set after a major war and there are only little pockets of survivors.

"These characters, in that context, are all very selfish. Even though there has been a great catastrophe, they are still holding onto their own past."

The basic Count of Monte Cristo story remains the same as in the Alexandre Dumas novel. Edmund Dantes, a sailor, is set up by his best friend, to get rid of him so he can steal his wife.

But now, while in prison, this huge catastrophe happens.

"We feel rock music really lends itself to this sort of storyline, this idea that the world is now a blank slate.

"The question is posed; How will these characters carry on now that they've been brought down to the same level?"

The show is more of a play with music rather than a straight musical theatre piece.

"We've got some really intimate pieces of dialogue with the characters," says Alex. "It should be great."

Growing up in Peterhead, Alex always had a desire to perform.

"I did musical theatre all through school and sang in bands, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.

Alex's decision to pursue a stage career was almost made for him when, aged 19, he was cast in Les Miserables at His Majesty's in Aberdeen.

HE recalls: "It came about by chance. When I was at college I was signing a song from Les Mis, and a lecturer walking past heard me.

"He told me they were casting at the theatre, and I rang. Before I knew it, I had the role of Jean Valjean and suddenly I was part of another world."

Alex moved to Glasgow and worked on Sweeney Todd and Beauty and the Beast. Then he heard about the auditions for Jesus Christ Superstar.

"I don't really believe in TV talent shows, but because is it was Jesus Christ, I had to go for it.

"You see, my grandparents had a video rental shop and I'd sit in the back room of the shop after school and watch the film of the show. I loved it."

Alex reached the final auditions in London, singing Gethsemane.

"I was so privileged to be there. And I decided to take off for London with my partner. I wanted to build a career there."

But it's a tough business. Alex may have had Les Mis success, but he's had to work behind the scenes in London.

He knows he has to attract producers and casting agents, to show he has an extra special talent.

And the Count of Monte Cristo, now running at Glasgow newest theatre at Kelvinbridge, is his showcase.

"It really is," he says. "What I've realised from working in London is if you want to make it in this business, you really have to go for it, or not at all. It's the only way.

"And my Count is set to give his all."

l The Count of Monte Cristo, Webster's Theatre, 416 Great Western Road Box office 01241 435800.