MARC Dugmore's theatre career began when he was 13 years old, working behind the Swan Theatre coffee bar.

Thirty years on, he's directing the Swan Theatre Amateur Company's production of Popcorn and thoroughly enjoying himself.

"I've had the great fortune to watch some of the world's greatest professional directors at work and now that I have semi-retired from professional theatre, I can use the skills that I have learned and give something back to the place that infected me with the theatre bug," he said.

After attending LAMDA (London School of Music and Dramatic Art), Marc went on to have a successful career as a stage and company manager, working all over country and with some of the most important names in British theatre, from Dame Judy Dench and Sir Anthony Hopkins to Sir Peter Hall and Alan Ayckbourn. His heart, however, has remained devoted to am-dram.

"I have always directed am-dram," he said. "Even when I was a professional.

"It's where the wellspring of theatre life is nurtured."

While Marc wholeheartedly supports the scene, he says at times it can be too lively.

"The catchment areas for amateur companies is only limited," he said. "And it's highly unlikely that, for example, coach parties from Southampton will come to Worcester for an amateur production.

"In some ways there is too much competition - not just artistically from company to company but for venues too.

"The diversity of styles and companies would probably benefit from a local am-dram federation as an umbrella organisation, to organise and co-ordinate resources, ideas, joint productions and so on."

Until then, Marc will continue to encourage and inspire others to support their local theatre.

His production of Popcorn, the stage adaptation of Ben Elton's slick comic thriller, runs at Worcester's Swan from Tuesday, June 24, to Saturday, June 28.

For tickets call the Worcester Live box office on 01905 611427.