JOHN Raw has a liking for comic roles, and it is easy to see why on making his acquaintance. Plonking down a can of shaving foam after subjecting himself to the demands of a photo session with the Evening Press photographer at York Theatre Royal, he rubs his semi-shaven head and says: "I got my wife to cut it this far last night; then it's down to a sandpaper job next week for the show. What we do for art!"

He smiles at the thought, for in more than four decades with the York Light Opera Society, John has been there, done that. From February 13 to 24, newly shaven head and all, he will be starring as the millionaire industrialist Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks in Annie.

"The only reason I'm shaving off my hair is that the part calls for it, or rather it doesn't specifically call for it but people seem to expect the character to look that way and, anyway, I had less than most to shave off!"

John's wife, Colleen, will be charged with the task of removing the rest of his hair. "She's not so sure about it, and the grandchildren haven't seen it yet but I know my granddaughter will be calling me Baldilocks!" he says.

For all the familiarity of the role of 'Daddy' Warbucks - John himself has seen the show in London and a video of the film version with Albert Finney in the part - he will apply his usual policy for performing. "I'm not bothered how others have played a part. You play it as you feel it. That might be different to the producer's thoughts but you should play it as you feel it!" he says, still smiling.

"Over the years I've tended to play comedy parts. Well, they've usually ended up that way; they might not have started as that."

This time, however, his role is not comic. Warbucks is an imposing figure. "With comedy, you play to the audience; with this role you 'ignore' the audience," he says, putting the difference as succinctly as possible.

Retired from working as a manager on the financial side of British Rail, John is enjoying himself as much as ever in the York Light ranks. "One of the good things about doing this part is that it means at my age I can still play a leading role. Not that I'm particularly bothered about doing leads but there are very few principal parts for wrinklies like me," he says.

Looking back on his long service to York Light Opera Society, his guest involvement with other societies and his days in the Stars On Sunday backing group at Yorkshire Television, John says: "From being a child, I've always enjoyed singing. I worked with a lad who wanted to audition for York Light, and as he was going I said I wouldn't mind coming for an audition too. I couldn't believe what people were getting up and doing, and I never thought I'd get a part."

However, he did. The year was 1960, and even now, 41 years later, he still wouldn't class himself as a singer. "I've never professed to be one! I've always been a bluffer. That's why I tend to do comedy, I think."

If John gives the impression of being disarmingly carefree in his attitude to performing, even joking that he will be bluffing his way through an American accent in Annie, be assured he has a resolute spirit too. "I'm a bit laid-back on things... until I get up there on that stage and I know it's not for fun," he says. "You treat it professionally, you have to; people are paying good money so you have to be serious about it."

There is the newly shaven-headed truth from a musical theatre stalwart.

Annie, York Light Opera Society, York Theatre Royal, February 13 to 24. Tickets: £5 upwards; ring 01904 623568.