WHEN Richard Swerrun literally bounces into the Circle Bar at Malvern Theatres it's impossible not to smile back at his beaming grin.

A ball of energy, he brushes his hands through his shoulder-length blond locks and places a hand over his impressively tanned - if not rather exposed - chest.

Just seconds after meeting the Malvern-born man it's easy to understand how he bagged the leading role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, about to burst on to the town's stage later this month in a whistle-stop tour of the country.

And for Richard, he's no stranger to the role. For he is proud to announce that this tour will see him making his 3,000th performance as Joseph.

"Which means I'll have sung Any Dream Will Do 12,000 times because you sing it four times each show, so there's no excuse for fluffing the words," said Richard, throwing his head back and letting out a dramatic laugh.

Oozing charisma, I expect Richard to tell me he took to the stage at the age of two and has never looked back, but was surprised to hear he was what he described as a "late starter".

It wasn't until he was 17 and he joined WODS (Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society) that he discovered his unbridled passion - but he certainly made up for lost time.

During his first year of dance school in London he decided to have a stab at an audition for the West-End musical Y - "just for the hell of it".

Meant as a learning curve, he was gobsmacked when he was told he had landed the leading vocalist role (for which he later won one of his now many accumulated awards) and beat off 6,000 other hopefuls vying for the part.

And it's unsurprising his skills were spotted so early. For it seems Richard is the definition of the term "natural talent".

He passed ballet exams that normally take 14 years to master in just two-and-a-half years - which he puts down to spending years in orthopaedic splints to try and straighten his bow legs. "An affliction that went in my favour", he says.

And he is first to confess he has never had a singing lesson in his life - instead learning his vocal skills by miming and singing as a child to classic greats such as Sinatra and Garland.

His work has seen him singing, directing choreographing, producing and dancing his way around the world, including his own one-man show and performing for the Thai Royal Family in Bangkok.

Being coy about his age, he admits he's worked in the business for more than just one decade, and said he felt fortunate that he has never been short of work.

But for Richard, he couldn't be more delighted to be back on stage in his hometown.

"I love performing here then being able to walk my dog home after the show," he chuckles.

"Seriously though, there's so much history here for me. It has a very special place in my heart.

"And having so many of my friends and family come to see the show it makes it more nerve-wracking than walking out in front of the London Palladium.

"I feel like people are coming to see me rather than the show, which is scary but great."

And Richard won't be the only local lad starring in the show. He'll be joined by 23-year-old Gregory Bradley, who was born in Gloucester but lived for more than 10 years in Ledbury and Hereford.

It's Gregory's debut appearance at Malvern Theatres, but he has fond memories of visiting it as a child.

"I'm really excited about the part and being here," he said.

He plays Benjamin, one of Joseph's 11 brothers in the legendary musical penned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, which will be at the theatre from Monday, February 28 until Saturday, March 5.

Tickets cost £16 to £21 and can be bought by calling the box office on 01684 892277 or at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk