The dancing, the outfits, the flares, the attitude, the disco, the strut, the collars, all combined to make John Travolta a superstar at the tender age of 23, after he played Tony Manero in the 70s classic film Saturday Night Fever, writes Katherine MacAlister.

Stephane Anelli is also 23, and although playing John Travolta in his heyday is a hard act to follow, it's a

challenge he was happy to take on when asked to play the lead in the musical version of the cult film.

Stephane Anelli - updating the role of Tony Manero

"I was excited to be asked to play an icon, especially as it was such a symbolic film in the 70s. I would never say I was climbing into John Travolta's shoes because he created the part," Stephane says.

"But I have studied him and the way he plays the role and copied much of it. I also like to think I've put a bit of myself into it, to keep it real and modern, so I'm not just doing an impersonation of John Travolta."

Having said that, the musical version, which is the Oxford Apollo's big summer show, concentrates more on the dancing and music than the film version. The film, renowned for being quite dark with a lot of swearing, sexism and even rape, has been toned down to suit a family audience.

"In the musical version it is touched upon, but it's a family show, so the bad language and violence has been cut out to concentrate on the dancing and singing. Otherwise it would need an 18 certificate," he points out.

On tour for a year, Saturday Night Fever is Stephane's biggest role to date and he's loving every minute of it. Travelling round the country with the large cast is like having a mobile family who work and socialise together, he explains.

Hailing from Southampton, Stephane was singing and dancing from an early age. His parents weren't remotely

surprised on his choice of career as both his sisters were dancers, his father a musician, and his mother an ice skater.

"My parents encouraged it because it was a great way to get rid of excess energy. I went to see my sisters in shows and knew that's what I wanted to do with my life," he recalls.

Stephane took up tap-dancing and pursued his dancing career throughout school, without any hindrance from his classmates.

"Lots of my fellow male dancers were teased badly at school, but I got away scot free. Maybe it was because my best friend was very large and no one dared to mess with me," he laughs.

At 16, Stephane went to Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, Surrey.

When he graduated he performed in numerous pop music videos, and starred in live performances with Emma Bunton and The Lighthouse Family at the EMMA Awards, at Record of the Year with Atomic Kitten, and The Number 1 Party with Nancy Sinatra, as well as touring with S Club 7, the Pop Idol finalists and Sophie Ellis Bextor.

He then landed the understudy role for the Tony Manero part, before getting the job himself.

"No, I didn't roll marbles on stage to get the part," he quips.

"We were a team. Everyone likes to be challenged. That's part of the job. That's why we do it. We are junkies for the applause and adrenaline created by being on stage."

Saturday Night Fever opens on June 9 for two weeks at the Oxford Apollo. Box office 0870 6063500.