IT'S probably a fair assumption that when the young Richard Swerrun snuggled up to listen to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, he took it as stage direction for the future.

Since his teens, Richard has been a glittering example of how talent, determination and boundless energy really can make dreams come true.

Now, in true local-boy-made-good style, the West End musical veteran is giving Worcester youngsters their chance to shine.

His theatre company, Merlin Youth Theatre, is giving 50 talented youngsters the chance to take to the stage in A Little bit of Showbusiness in Malvern this month.

Meeting Richard is an enlightening experience. His infectious enthusiasm and charm nearly rubbed off on me, until I realised we'd been laughing so much I had neglected to even offer him a coffee.

Not that he minded - there are no airs and graces with Richard. When a passing colleague asked him where he'd been on holiday, he quickly responded with typical honesty:

"Sunbed I'm afraid, so nowhere nice!"

All very refreshing really, because with his blue eyes and cheekbones you could cut glass on, Richard has the kind of cherubic looks any Aussie soap star would give a Castlemaine XXXX for.

Richard is bursting with pride about Merlin Youth's forthcoming debut.

After an impressive career starring in acclaimed musicals such as Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Oklahoma, former Bishop Perowne pupil Richard is very aware of his Worcester roots. Merlin is his way of giving a little bit back to his hometown.

"There are so many talented people out there. I just wanted to give young people a realistic idea of what the business is like, instead of the stage school version," said Richard.

The 50 lucky youngsters, who were picked from hundreds at summer auditions, will have had 10 weeks of three-hourly rehearsals by the time they perform - and, as Richard says, this is no mean feat.

"They have all worked so hard, it's exciting to see them all developing," he said.

"I don't mollycoddle them. I tell them that I won't keep telling them they are good because I expect them to be good - that's the reality of theatre.

"The schools and stage schools often don't give them a taste of what life is really like in a theatre environment.

"I am excited about the show because all these kids are so talented.

"I get so excited about talent, not just singing or dancing talent, but about anyone who is talented at what they do - I love that!" he added.

Richard decided to build the show around the youngsters' individual strengths.

"The thing is, I could have had a Liberace or a Streisand, but I wouldn't know until they had been picked, so I've designed the show around them. I've built it from a mish-mash of everything."

The show will have something for everyone, and fans of musicals in particular are in for a treat.

Richard is clearly delighted with his young performers and his enthusiasm is infectious.

"It's going to be a great show. I'm so proud of them all," said Richard.

While Richard himself still dabbles in acting - he's doing panto in Hull with Little and Large in December - he really enjoys his role as producer now with his professional company Merlin Productions.

"It's doing really well," he says. "People are approaching us now, which is great. I keep meeting big name producers in their offices and I think to myself, 'what I would've done to be here when I was acting'!"

Richard's main bugbear with the theatre is when quality is passed over for big name bankability, and it irks him when people are surprised he can both sing and dance.

"I mean, that's what I trained in - it's my job! It just shows that we have come to expect less from stars nowadays," he said.

Richard laments the state of British theatre today, claiming it has "been killing itself".

"It's like a dumbing-down, and the great shame is that the talent and quality is out there," he said.

So now he's doing his bit to set the theatre world to rights, and to spread a little showbiz happiness along the way.

And it's a family affair. His mum Joyce just can't resist treating the kids in the youth theatre, and Richard says her weekly shopping bill has gone up £50 because she keeps buying goodies!

"The other day some of the kids were talking about some old pictures they'd seen of me, and I just groaned inwardly - Mum's been at it again!" he laughs.

A Little Bit of Showbusiness starts at Malvern Festival Theatre at 7.30pm, Sunday, November 25. Tickets are available from the theatre.