IT'S back to the Fifties and the birth of rock 'n' roll for the musical show Buddy, which stars an actor who went to school in Colwall.

Ed Handoll, who grew up in Herefordshire and is a former pupil at The Elms, appears at Malvern Theatres next week as the legendary Buddy Holly.

He promises audiences a show for all ages, with the youthful energy of the Fifties appealing to young people and the chance to be nostalgic for the older generation.

The show tells the story of Holly's three-year rise to become the world's top recording artist, before his death in an air crash when he was just 22. Ed sings and plays guitar for all 20 numbers,

"It's all live on stage, we don't have a band. We are the band," he said.

The role is so demanding that Ed shares it with another actor, Eliot Harper, swapping every two performances.

"It's a huge role for one person to undertake. It's very physical and involves a lot of movement because it's high energy and full of youthful exuberance," Ed explained.

Preparing for the role involved watching rare television footage of Holly and listening to his music. Ed was not a huge Holly fan, but was familiar with Fifties music from when he first started playing guitar.

Holly fans can enjoy all his hits including Peggy Sue, That'll be the Day, Oh Boy and Ed's personal favourite, Every Day.

"It's sweet. What he's saying is so poignant and it comes at a wonderful point in the show after a long recording session," he said.

Ed has come a long way since appearing in school plays and playing guitar in a band formed by a teacher at The Elms.

Buddy is his first major role, although he has performed on stage and radio since graduating with a MA Honours degree in musical theatre from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 2004.

Ed's dream is to appear in the West End, and he has been told there is a chance Buddy will have a run there.

Buddy plays at Malvern Theatres from Monday to Saturday, August 14 to 19. Tickets are from £19.50 to £28.50 on 01684 892277.