Hugh Jackman is best known for playing superhero Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, but he's sunk his claws into some pretty diverse roles in between. These include the action thriller Swordfish and a Tony award-winning stint on Broadway in The Boy From Oz. His background and experience of performing on stage proved invaluable when taking the part of showman and magician Robert Angier in The Prestige, Christopher Nolan's fantasy thriller. Here, he talks about the world of magic and working with David Bowie.

Your character is more showman than magician. Did your experience of treading the boards make that easier to relate to? Were you familiar with this world at all?

I'm not familiar with the world of magic at all. I went to Vegas and met a number of magicians and it was fascinating to me. But in terms of being on stage, the role seemed tailor made for me. Angier is a very good magician but he's not the world's best. However he is a great showman, and he knew how to sell a trick. I've done a lot of stage work and I've always felt quite at home on it because that's what my background is. If I can be honest about my film career, it's probably taken me a few years to feel as at home on a set as I have on a stage.

Did you notice any similarities between actors and magicians while doing your research?

Having met a number of magicians preparing for this role, I realise that the huge difference for me is that it's a very solitary profession. Even Penn and Teller, who have a double act, are very different in their styles. Most magicians pretty much mortgage their youths to work in front of a mirror doing sleight of hand because it takes years of practice. But an actor can't do it alone. They're very much dependent on each other for their work, which is something I like.

What was it like working with director Christopher Nolan?

He's incredibly communicative. There's not a person in Hollywood, or the film business, who doesn't love him. I'm not only talking about actors, but also props departments and business affairs people at the studio. Everyone loves him because he's incredibly prepared - the script that we shot was pretty much the script that I read. There aren't many changes. He also leaves it open to you to interpret the role for yourself. I remember my agent saying to me: "He says we'll shoot until April 11th." And he did - we finished on April 11th. It's amazing how precise he is and at the same time creates this real freedom on set.

Did you pick up any tricks that you could use at a kids' party in the future?

I started off as a clown at kids' parties about 15 years ago and I retired when a six-year-old got up in the middle of my routine and said: "Mum, this clown is really crap." That's word for word, and it's a bad thing for a clown to hear. So, when I came to do this, I thought it was great because we had Ricky Jay and Michael Weber helping us with our routines, only to find out that the by-line to their business was, 'on a need to know basis'. So, they'd teach us what we needed to film but Christian [Bale] and I came out really under done on tricks.

Did you enjoy working with David Bowie?

I've got to say, he's probably one of the nicest guys I've ever met. But two days into shooting I told him a story about the first concert I was ever going to go to, which was one of his. I bought a ticket for $20, which was about six months' worth of pocket money. But on the day of the concert, someone offered me $50 for the ticket because it was sold out. David's face started to glaze over a little bit at this point and I was wishing I could take the story back. He said: "And..." I had to tell him that I sold them. From that moment, he called me "the scalper" and he wanted at least 50% of my profit!

You have several films coming out over the coming months [The Prestige, Happy Feet, Flushed Away and The Fountain] and have a busy production schedule. Does being a father make you think harder about your choices in film and where you're going to have to be?

Oh definitely. That's why I have a production company now. I'll be honest, the main reason is controlling content and doing things that I really like. But it's terrific to have control over where it's shot and when it's shot, within the constraints of the budget. I'm shooting a movie now with Ewan McGregor and Michelle Williams called The Tourist, which we're producing and we're shooting it in New York City.

How challenging is it to juggle fatherhood with being an actor and a producer?

It's probably one of the greatest challenges for anybody. I think just mixing social life, family life and work life is a great balancing act. It's one I enjoy - sometimes I get it wrong but hopefully most of the time I get it right. I'll be able to see by the therapy bills my kids have later in life!

The Prestige is released in UK cinemas on Friday 10th November 2006.