IN the film The Man who Shot Liberty Valance there is a line which is often quoted which says: “This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”

And what we have with Sherlock Homes is a myth wrapped in an enigma of a fictional character who some believed when he first appeared he was a real person.

Myth and reality have crossed over, the reality is Sherlock Homes appears to be the most modern of creations but he first appeared in A Study in Scarlet written by Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887.

The Victorian tales of this modern detective have been re-born many times and the latest in a long line of actors to portray him will be Luke Barton in The Sign of Four at the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton on February 25 and 26.

Talking about Sherlock Homes, Luke said: “I think I first became aware of him when I was at primary school and we were asked the question is Sherlock Holmes real? I was adamant he was but I don’t think I became aware of the character until I read some of the extracts of the books in English lessons.

“I have been asked which of the Sherlock Homes as played by other actors do I think mine most resembles and I would have to say the one created by Jeremy Brett.

“As a role it is a lot tricker than I first thought.

“The more I play the role the more I think it is a bit like a 19th century Victorian Hamlet, he is multi-dimensional as there is so much going on.

“He is much more like a person in the early 20th century than a Victorian and he is always pushing the boundaries.

“In terms of acting I am always trying to get closer to him and I think I am still chasing him.

“As an actor you always strive to be the best whether it is a 2.30pm Tuesday matinee or a Saturday evening.

“You always go out and do your best.”

The interest in acting for Luke came when he asked to help at the drama group and started by painting some scenery.

Taking up the tale, Luke said: “I was at secondary school and I started being involved in the school play by painting the scenery. It was my first step and someone dropped out and I took over the small role in the panto.

“I loved it and from that moment on I got involved. I took A Level drama and applied to University where I studied drama. I had applied to get into drama college but I failed the first time and finally applied a second time and got in.

“I then graduated in 2013 and have been working ever since.

“Going to drama school is part of your education in getting into what is an incredibly competitive and difficult industry.

“There are only so many parts and lots of actors.

“It is a marathon not a sprint and you have to be patient when you first start. There is a sense of frustration but I had to learn to take one job at a time.

“I did not have an agent for about two/three years but then found one and the better jobs have started to come in.

“You always have to be able to wait to see what happens in the future.

“But you are always aiming to get bigger and better parts.

“Sherlock Holmes is a great part which will see me going on tour to China in June.

“There is a huge following in China for Sherlock Holmes and he has a global reach even though he is a very British character.

“He is the type of person we all desire to have his level of intelligence but with that he is relentless and cold.

“The key to all his success is the extraordinary mysteries, where as a writer like Agatha Christie we are told who dunnit.

“In Sherlock Homes the plots are more complicated and you see the complexity of the mystery.

“By the time the mystery is revealed Holmes is bored and wants to move on.”

Now Luke and Holmes will be at The Brewhouse with the Sign of Four.

Luke added: “A lot of people aren’t coming to see my Sherlock. What they are coming to see is the play and to enjoy the show.

“They love the character and they want to see him.”

You can see the Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and adapted for the stage by Nick Lane at The Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton from February 25-26.

Ticket Prices: Full Price from £18 and Concessions from £12.

You can buy tickets for the play online at thebrewhouse.net or call the box office on 01823 283244.