Actor makes a bid for big time

10:35am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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AN up-and-coming actor is banking on success after giving up the security of his office job for a life treading the boards.

Former cost and deliveries analyst for the Alliance and Leicester Ben Thomas swapped overdrafts for underwear and is currently rehearsing for his role as a Chippendale-style stripper who inspires a group of steel workers to reveal all in the musical production of the Full Monty.

With a life-long enthusiasm for drama, Ben, from Brierley Hill, was happy enough to take on roles in amateur dramatic productions while at university and then with the Alliance and Leicester.

But after seven years in the financial services industry, he realised this was not where he wanted to be and has finally taken the plunge, hoping to make his living as an actor.

"I was 30 last year and I thought - it's now or never. I'm very confident that it is the right thing for me to do," said Ben, who left his job and the daily commute to the bank's head office in Leicester last month.

He added: "Going into acting full-time is probably the craziest thing I have ever done. On the other hand it is also the most honest thing I have ever done. Finally I'm going to follow my dreams, isn't that what everyone should do?"

Ben, of Commonside, has already been busy filming for an electricity safety video and is performing in a theatre-in-education production called He is Spartacus, which will tour Birmingham schools.

The Full Monty at Birmingham's Crescent Theatre, Sheepcote Street, is an amateur production, and Ben is temping with Sandwell Council in the finance section of the Tipton Adults Protection Team to make ends meet between paid jobs.

"I don't have any family to support - I would not have done this if I had kids. I've just got two dogs and they'll eat anything," he joked.

The funny yet touching production of The Full Monty can be seen from Friday May 23 to Saturday May 31 at 7.30pm with matinees at 2.30pm on the two Saturdays.

Tickets are available from the box office on 0121 643 5858 or by visiting www.crescent-theatre.co.uk