Just A Quickie with... Sam Coulson, 14-year-old Acomb actor, who is playing a character maybe twice his age in Guys And Dolls at York Theatre Royal.

In 2002 for YAOS Youth Theatre, you played businessman Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone, the musical where children ape adult behaviour. Now in another gangster tale, Guys And Dolls, you are playing Benny Southstreet, an adult role for real, at the age of 14. What challenges does it present?

"I think the actor who played him in the film Johnny Silver was 30ish, but that's the good thing about comedy. Benny is not acting his age. The comedy allows you to be not so serious, so there's no pressure to act like a 30 year old.

"With Benny, his constant beaming smile shows his comedy value and his lack of seriousness. I can't think of one point in the story where he's not smiling. He's always optimistic."

Have you done any other roles where you have had to age for your character?

"We've started rehearsing Blood Brothers at school (Manor School), which we'll be doing in July. I'm playing Micky, and he gets older as the show goes on, ending up in his 30s, and I might find it harder as you don't have the humour to allow you not to be serious.

"It's the little things you need to define. At seven years old, he will pull his pockets out, pick his nose and shuffle his feet, those are the characteristics that make him likeable. I've been watching my half sisters and half brother as they're all good examples to follow."

This must be a busy time for you: school work, two plays, and teenage life?

"The last two weeks I've been rehearsing every night, and I've had revision for exams at school, trying to cram it in at the weekend, and there are the Blood Brothers rehearsals. Now I'm doing Guys And Dolls shows each evening, but that's what I love: the chance to get away and let your hair down."

Guys And Dolls, York Musical Theatre Company, York Theatre Royal, until May 7. Box office: 01904 623568.

Updated: 15:58 Thursday, April 28, 2005