PLAYSCHOOL and Playaway star Brian Cant is about to appear at Malvern Theatres in the classic children's tale, The Railway Children.

But Brian, who also co-directs the show, is keen to point out that he is an actor, not a children's entertainer.

"What I've never been is a children's entertainer because I can't do that," he said. "I can't cope with that, but given a job to do that involves children, I've always treated them as human beings and tried not to talk down to them."

Despite being better known for his television work, Brian's roots were on the stage. While working as a lithographer, he was in amateur dramatics in London and was spotted by an agent who asked him to audition for a summer season on stage. He got the job and immediately gave up his printing career to tread the boards.

In The Railway Children, he co-directs with his wife Cherry Britton as well as portraying The Old Gentleman.

He said that combining acting and directing was quite a challenge.

"Usually I'm just employed as an actor, although I've directed a lot of panto and at Legoland when they were first starting up," he said. "It's a bit tricky if you haven't got a second pair of eyes working with you."

Although Brian has yet to play at Malvern, he recently visited the town and looked in at the theatres.

"It looks lovely and I've heard that it's a very nice theatre to play. It's such a lovely place, we're looking forward to it."

The Railway Children runs from Tuesday, August 13 to Saturday, August 17 at 7pm, with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets start at £7.50, available from the box office on 01684 892277.

A post show discussion and workshop will take place after the first showing of The Railway Children in Malvern Theatres on Tuesday, August 13. The show is recommended for all the family and details about the workshop are available from Amy Johnson on 01684 569256.