Man of many faces gets a rare gift; Fellow actors have planned a tribute show for Michael Atkinson, writes Fiona Chisholm.(News)

Actor Michael Atkinson hasn’t a hope of keeping his next birthday a secret. That’s thanks to a little help from his friends.

Aviva Pelham, Roy Sargeant, Ralph Lawson and Michael Tuffin have decided to stage a tribute evening in his honour to be called Atkinson at 80 – The Importance of Being Michael. It will take place on Sunday – his 80th birthday – in the main theatre at the Baxter, the scene of so many of his triumphs.

“What a birthday present!” beamed a fit and relaxed-looking Atkinson.

“Aviva wanted to arrange a similar evening for my 75th birthday, but I was embarrassed and called it off. I’ve promised her that this time I won’t.”

Director Roy Sargeant envisages making it a tribute from Atkinson’s colleagues, who will perform scenes from plays and musicals important to him.

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