A YOUNG man from Little Easton is fast making a name for himself in the acting world and is currently starring in Macbeth, Olie Coopersmith, 14, has only been acting for a year but has already found himself starring in TV commercials, acting opposite worl

A YOUNG man from Little Easton is fast making a name for himself in the acting world and is currently starring in Macbeth, Olie Coopersmith, 14, has only been acting for a year but has already found himself starring in TV commercials, acting opposite world famous actresses in the West End and appearing in a movie.

He said: "I'd always fancied having a go at acting so I signed up for a few acting classes with Scene II.

"Tutor Jackie Rom really helped me. She got me signed to the Collins Performing Arts Agency in Romford and within weeks I found myself going off to my first audition."

It was the first of several auditions he attended including the West End productions of Mary Poppins and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sound of Music. The latter, he jokes, he turned down because he didn't want to wear Laden-Hosen.

"My first big role was staring in The Cryptogram at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre in London's Covent Garden where I starred opposite Kim Cattrall from Sex in the City and Douglas Henshaw."

It was a performance that brought in rave reviews from the critics.

Olie is currently playing Young Macduff with the New Shakespeare Company at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, once again to rave reviews.

"We started rehearsals in March and have been playing to audiences since the beginning of May.

"I love it. I'm having the time of my life. I'm working with some fantastic actors and really getting to learn my art."

The production runs until the end of August after which Olie says he has nothing lined up in the acting front as he is now coming up to his GCSEs.

Mum Susie says her son is coping with his new-found success very well and that the teachers at Helena Romanes School where Olie is a pupil have been very supportive of his acting career, with the

headteacher encouraging him to grab his chances with both hands.

"We are all so very proud of him and how he is handling it all.

"His feet are firmly on the floor and he doesn't want people making a fuss about it."

Olie will be appearing in the horror movie Alive 2007, which is due for release later this year.