STAGE performers have to suffer for their art.

It’s part of the job, whether coping with humour-bypassed audiences or tyrannical directors.

And that’s before they sneak a peek at next year’s calendar and become snow blind.

But few have had to contend with a tsunami, an actual, devastating, biblical flood-level, raging torrent of a tsunami.

Variety entertainer Clark Stewart, set to star in this year’s Pavilion panto, Cinderella, has.

“I was in Kobi in Japan 15 years ago when there was an earthquake,” he recalls.

“We were docked at the time, but because we knew there was a giant tsunami on the way we had to sail a few miles out to sea to avoid smashing against the pier.

“But it was still rough. There were grand pianos flying around, broken glass everywhere and we just had to ride it out.”

He adds, smiling; “Having said that, I’m good at being at sea and I’ve only had two or three bad years in the last 30.”

Entertainment life began for Clark as a wee boy back in Dunfermline.

“My mum and dad were heavily into local musicals, which they directed. I was pulled in from an early age and I loved it.

“I’d get letters home from school saying ‘You have to stop filling Clark’s head with all this singing and acting nonsense’, but I’m glad my parents just ignored it.”

At 17, Clark landed the lead role in Guys and Dolls. “I still know every single word of that show.”

That same year he went along to watch the Edinburgh King’s Theatre panto.

“As I looked up at the stage I thought ‘I’m going to be in this panto next year’ and that’s exactly what did happen.

“I went along to auditions and landed a part, alongside Allan Stewart, Una McLean and Anita Harris.”

He adds; “I had a lot of confidence at the time but what I did during the run was make sure I watched Allan Stewart’s spots each times I was off stage.

“I learned such an incredible amount from him. And we’re still good pals to this day.”

Clark moved on to work the club circuit in the North of England.

“One day, a guy from Princess Cruises came to see me perform and offered me work on a liner.

“I told him I was unavailable because I was booked for panto and tied up until February. He said he’d fly me over then.

“My first thought was ‘Oh, yeh, right. What sort of malarkey is going on here?’ But that’s exactly what did happen. That was 30 years ago and I figured I’d give the cruises a go to see what it was like.”

Clark loved life at sea, performing to the passengers. He developed his act, singing mixed with comedy, with tributes to musical theatre and the likes of Neil Diamond.

“I call myself an old school comic. I choose not to swear. It doesn’t suit me. I don’t do the comedy clubs. I work with the likes of Sydney Devine, and on the cruise ships comics with comics such as Tom O’Connor.”

He adds; “I found working the ships really suited me,” he says. “I’ve been to every port in the world. In fact, the week after the Pavilion panto finishes I’m being flow down to Rio for four days to do a 45 minute show.”

But the bright sunshine and blue seas life is not all it seems.

“I’d rather be sailing out of Greenock than Hawaii,” he says, in all honesty.

“The novelty wears off. I’ve been to Rio, all the beaches, seen the sights. You get paid the same regardless of where you sail from.”

He grins; “All I can do to pass the time is check out the samba girls and the feathers.”

Already Clarkhas ten weeks cruise work booked for next year.

“I’m happy with that,” he says. “I like to be back at home too, in Dunfermline.”

Clark met his wife, a dancer, on the cruise ships. The pair have a 15 year-old daughter, Charlie, who is now performing in musical theatre. “She loves it.”

In April he’s back at the Pavilion in Juke Box Memories. And in May he’ll be touring with old pal Sydney.

“He’s amazing. Sold 16 m records.” Clark throws in the punchline with perfect timing; “I tell people that between us we’ve sold 16m records.”

Clark is delighted to be back in panto, working alongside the likes of Stephen Purdon, Grado and Joyce Falconer. But he throws in a caveat.

“After playing the Handsome Prince for years I’m now playing the Baron.” He grins; “I thought ‘How did that happen?’”

Did he have to have a wee sit down moment at the realisation? He laughs aloud. “It took me a few days to let it sink but I’m fine now.

“And I love the theatre. It’s a great place to play. The only problem is that after working in Glasgow for ten weeks my family will tell me I sound like a weegie.”

The Magical Adventures of Cinderella, The Pavilion Theatre, November 29 – January 13.