KATHERINE MacALISTER meets the actor preparing to play the role of Oxford athlete Sir Roger Bannister Timothy Allsop laughs as we discuss his upcoming part in The Four Minute Mile, a play about Sir Roger Bannister’s famous world record in 1954.

“I’ll either be terribly fit or dead by the end of it,” he jokes.

For not only will this depict the first sub-four minute mile, but it’s being re-enacted at Oxford’s Iffley Road stadium where the original record was broken, with the audience moving around the track with the actors.

“By the end of the performance the audience will have done about a mile and I will have done two, so twice a day I should be fit as a butcher’s dog by the end,” the 29-year-old chuckles.

Luckily Timothy was a cross-country runner when he was younger, but admits he’s had to start jogging again to get into shape for the part.

“I’m told I look like Roger Bannister because I’m quite tall and thin, but I have started a gentle regime,” he smiles, “because the part requires stamina and fitness so it will be a physical show.”

Tell us more.

“Well, essentially, on the three corners of the track, vignettes of Roger’s life will be shown – his career as a neuroscientist, coming fourth in the Olympics and when he decided to try to break the four minute mile. And it’s going to have an intimate audience of about 70-80 who go around with you, so we’ll all warm-up together and it’ll be a totally interactive experience, geared towards family audiences. So it’s going to be fun and unusual.”

But apart from the novelty value, what attracted Timothy to the project?

“Personally I’m really interested in exploring this man who didn’t view running as much more than a hobby, nor as important as his career as a neuroscientist. And I’m also fascinated in how sport has moved away from that amateurism and turned instead to money and professionalism.

“Roger Bannister only trained three or four times a week for an hour at a time, so I’m interested in that dynamic and in his scientific interest in what you have to do to push your body.”

Timothy already knows Oxford well having studied history at Balliol, but has been working in London and China recently.

“I have been doing a lot of classical work, and have just finished playing Richard III, so it will be good to do something very different. And as the script won’t even be finished until a week beforehand, it’s exciting to be taking part in a unique project. It’s literally a play in motion in every way.”

Which does beg the question, how quick can Timothy run the mile?

“I haven’t timed myself yet, but I would be delighted if I managed six minutes. I just hope I can run consistently for a couple of miles without collapsing,” he grins.

As for Sir Roger making an appearance, Timothy says that’s the most daunting thing of all.

“I haven’t met him yet and I know theatre is not his thing, but I hope he comes along. I’m not aiming to mimic him, I just want to be true to his spirit, because that generation had such modesty in direct contrast with today’s celebrity culture. We just want to encapsulate that 1950s era and the history associated with it, that’s what I’m excited about.

“So it is a bit odd playing someone who’s still alive and yet such a historical figure. I just hope my legs don’t look too bad in those shorts.”

* The Story of The Four Minute Mile runs from Friday, May 4, to Sunday, May 13, at the Sir Roger Bannister Running Track, Oxford University Sport, Iffley Road, Oxford OX4 1EQ. Age guideline: 8+. Call 01865 305305 for tickets