ONE thing is for sure, Ben Warwick has been a very busy man indeed, starring in not one but two of the New Farnham Repertory's summer plays.

A recent graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he plays the lead role in David Copperfield which began last week at Brightwell Gardens.

No sooner does that finish than he dons Shakespearean garb as Prince Hal in the company's production of Henry IV but, as he tells The Herald, it's all in a day's work.

Now living in London, Ben, 29, is the son of TV star Hannah Gordon (of Upstairs Downstairs fame) but entered the profession under his own name as he was keen to progress on his own terms.

Having taken a number of leading roles in regional theatre, he is enthused by his latest challenge in Farnham.

Describing it as a faithful reproduction of Charles Dickens's classic work, he says there has been a real sense of camaraderie in their two weeks of rehearsals.

"The set is fantastic and has created a magical atmosphere which is wonderful for a summer evening and the production values are very high as are the lighting and sound effects," he said.

"There is a huge cast of 12 professional actors, who have worked here before, and volunteers for the ensemble cast who help with all the dramatic scenes."

He has been particularly impressed by a new star in their midst, 10-year-old Luke Millington Drake, from Cranleigh, who plays the young Copperfield.

Also receiving praise was director Ian Mullins, who had created a "vigorous" adaptation.

He explained that he took up his part on the advice of his old drama teacher who had been "blown away" by last year's show at Brightwell Gardens.

Feeling under no pressure from his mother, who has starred in many popular British sitcoms, Ben said she had been extremely supportive of his career path.

But acting was something of a late discovery: "I didn't know what I wanted to do while I was at Glasgow University doing English.

"But in the last two weeks there I had an idea of trying drama which I had thought about before, but never really done. I was accepted at all the schools I applied for, and took it as a sign I was meant to do this.

"I have found it much more stimulating actually doing the parts in plays rather than just writing essays about them!"

Was he worried about gaining work in such a highly competitive industry?

"It used to worry me, but I don't see the point now. I always take a job if I feel I am going to learn something.

"It is important to work as a young actor and play the biggest parts as frequently as possible, which is what Peter O' Toole once said."

As for his Farnham venture, he adds it is packed full of romance, action, tragedy and everything in between, making it a highly compelling show.