A Gourock actor has landed a role on the West End stage just weeks after graduating from a prestigious London university.

Rhys Lambert, 20, has graduated from Guildford School of Acting (GSA) with a first-class degree in musical theatre and is performing in Dorian: The Musical at the Southwark Playhouse. 

He was cast as part of the ensemble but has also had a run of shows playing the lead Dorian Gray.

Rhys said: “To be playing the lead role of Dorian during the show's run has been the most amazing opportunity.

“I think I am just so fortunate to have my first role so early on after leaving drama school.

(Image: Street View)

“It feels incredibly rewarding after so much blood, sweat and tears during the last four years of training.”

To kick off his post-grad career, Lambert and the cast of Dorian sang in front of a crowd of over 70,000 people at West End Live, an annual musical theatre festival held in Trafalgar Square.

He described the moment as ‘completely surreal’, adding: "West End Live is something I have watched for years.

“It was so amazing to be backstage with actors that I admire and to meet people from the big West End musicals that I love.

“It was a crazy experience to graduate one week and then be on the West End Live stage the next.

"It was a quick turn around but I am proud that our wee show was able to show off what we have to offer.”

For the former St Columba’s High School and Dance School of Scotland pupil this isn't his first time on a London stage.

At age 10, Rhys made his West End debut playing Charlie Bucket in a 2015 production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

When asked what it feels like to return to a London theatre, Rhys said: “I have come a long way as an actor since then and it is a dream come true to be back.

(Image: Michael Carlo)

“I know Charlie was my first time on a West End stage and it was such a massive production but this [Dorian: The Musical] felt like my official debut, performing as an adult in a bigger role that has taken so much hard work to get."

Moving to London was something that Rhys knew he would have to do to break into the acting industry. 

He said: “I knew I wanted to move to London and be in the heart of the musical theatre industry.

“I was 17 when I moved down South, which is so young and I was such a long way from home but it was completely worth it, I knew instantly it was where I was meant to be.

“I miss being home and if I could pursue this career in Glasgow I would.”

Rhys first started performing at drama groups in Inverclyde, attending Kayos Youth Theatre and Inverclyde Musical Youth Theatre (IMYT) - he still remembers his first time on stage in a 2012 Kayos production of Beauty and the Beast at the old Arts Guild Theatre.

He said: “My passion and love for performing kept me determined and working hard to get to where I am now, it has been there my whole life.

“There is nothing that fulfils me more than finishing a show, hearing the audience and taking a bow."