BRIAN Burton has been a leading light in all aspects of Worcester's amateur dramatics since he was first involved with the Swan Theatre six months after it opened - around 40 years ago.

He began as an amateur actor, 10 years after he discovered his love of the stage at Birmingham's Crescent Theatre. Since then, he has performed in countless productions and played more than 200 roles, including the lead in Noel Coward's Nude with Violin.

"It is so hard to remember parts I have played but I know I've played a good variety," said Mr Burton. "I have never done panto though. I would have liked to do panto."

Not only did he perform for paying theatre-goers, 83 years-old Mr Burton, who lives at Broughton Green, Hanbury, near Droitwich, helped to keep up troops' moral during the Second World War.

He was a member of ENSA - Entertaining National Service Association and took part in many productions, right through the war.

As a professional writer, Mr Burton began to move more behind the scenes to write and direct plays. He has had more than 50 plays and musicals published and performed all around the world - even on Broadway.

"The first one I ever had published was on at the Crescent Theatre in the 60s. I was thrilled and started writing others. Three of my plays have also had their first performances at the Swan."

Currently, Mr Burton is working on a musical version of Pride and Prejudice, and hopes it may follow in the footsteps of his greatest triumph

"My most successful play was a musical version of The Murder of Maria Marten. It was first done at the Swan, then published and was even set for GCSE in late 70s. It sold 45,000 copies."

But it is the directing that pulls Mr Burton away from his writing and retirement and back to Swan Theatre Amateur Dramatics (STAD), time and again. He has directed more than 200 plays and is currently working on Willy Russell's Educating Rita with STAD.

"I have retired a number of times," he said. "I can't give it up. It's what I love. Theatre is my life and I can't think of anything else that I would rather do."

Porcha Treanor

"I can't give it up. It's what I love.

"The Swan is a fabulous, intimate theatre and the people are my good friends.

"I do have a bit of a rest when I go to Australia every year. I hold workshops a group of people in a day and get them to do a play.

"That was a great time. I never went abroad to entertain but it was great performing for the troops in this country," he said.

to have a rest and concentrate on my writing but keep coming back,"