For a cartoon to achieve cult status, it must appeal not only to little kids but to big ones, too.

Think Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones or The Simpsons - programmes as popular with grown-ups as they are with "seven-and-ups".

And to that list Scooby Doo - quite possibly the most formulaic cartoon ever created - but also the most prolific, until recently holding the Guinness World Record for the most episodes of an animated TV series ever produced.

Never mind that viewers identify the gruesome ghost or ghoulie long before "those pesky kids" from Mystery inc. People still want to see Scooby do his thang, so much so that the Mystery Machine is now touring the world with a new live stage show.

"We've played to packed houses almost every night," says Shaggy, aka 22-year-old American actor Chris Carter, ahead of Scooby-Doo's run at New Wimbledon Theatre this week.

"Mainly it's kids and parents in the audience, but it does have a cult following, too.

"I think it has something for everyone - Daphne is every little girl who likes to wear pink, Velma is a take on the classic ugly duckling and Fred is your typical all-American hero."

And Scooby and Shaggy? "Well, they're just two loveable goofs," says Carter. "Every time you see them they're either eating or running scared. Unlike the film, our stage show sticks to the plot of the TV programme and doesn't try to be too clever."

A performance major at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Carter admits to being a big Scooby fan.

"Did I watch it? Sure I did! I've probably seen every episode about 30 times." So when he won the part of Mystery inc's resident hippy at his first New York audition, he was understandably pleased.

After describing himself as a "Baptist, water skiing, computer game fanatic with a flair for napping in the coolest of places," does Carter think it was his doziness that won him the part? After all, Shaggy is known for being, shall we say, a bit dopey?

"We stay clear of any suggestion of that," Carter answers carefully. "It's just a big goof-off. But yes, when we were in Paris, I went up the Eiffel Tower on my day off and somehow managed to fall asleep at the top."

"My hair is also pretty insane - there are two of us who share the role and the other one has to wear a wig but my semi-afro is the real deal. My family saw the photos and were like: Get a haircut!'"

They may have to wait a while. The Mystery Machine is on the road until at least the autumn, after which Carter is hoping for more big dos. His dream roles include Gevare in Les Miserables and the lead in The Phantom of the Opera.

"But Shaggy is not a blip on the radar," he adds quickly. "I'm having a great time. I've seen Paris and I've seen Cambridge - it doesn't get much better than that for a boy from Alabama."

  • Scooby Doo Live on Stage, New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, Thursday, March 29 to Sunday April 1, £8.50-£19, call 0870 060 6646, visit newwimbledon theatre.co.uk.