Joe Absolom, who has played Al Large in Doc Martin on television for 18 years, is taking to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre stage in Guildford as Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption from October 25 to 29.

Despite protests of his innocence, Andy Dufresne is handed a double life sentence for murder. In the notorious Shawshank prison, he quickly learns no-one can survive alone. A desperate plan is quietly hatched.

Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, this thrilling stage production examines desperation, injustice, friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum security jail. The 1994 film starred Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and was nominated for seven Academy Awards.

So far Joe has done only one play in his career – Abigail’s Party ten years ago – but he is looking forward to treading the boards again.

He said: “I wanted to get back on stage because it’s a different buzz from doing television, so when it came along I just couldn’t say no to it. It’s such a fantastic role and a great opportunity to give it a different spin – to get a great cast together, take it around the country, make some good friends and do some good theatre. The world has been pretty closed over the past couple of years so it’s great to get people back into theatres.”

Joe believes mental fortitude is crucial to Andy.

He said: “Andy is a banker who is respected in his community and in his family life. He’s a good man to whom this awful event happens. He’s convicted for the murder of his wife and her lover, and suddenly he’s in a prison surrounded by people who want to tear him apart.

“He’s a fish out of water, the quiet guy who stands off to the side and who doesn’t want to get involved in the banter or the haranguing of new inmates. He just wants to keep his head down and try to get through this ordeal.

“His resolve is something that really appealed to me. When stuff hits the fan the human mind is the strongest thing we have. Our brain is the most powerful computer.”

There are performances every night at 7.30pm, and matinees on October 26, 27 and 29 at 2.30pm. For tickets, priced from £28, call 01483 440000 or visit www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/shawshank-redemption