A NEWPORT man who was used to juggling figures is now appearing in two Christmas plays in Bristol.

Dave Constant, 31, of Upton Road, Newport, appeared in the Argus last year after his dramatic decision to start an acting career after years in finance.

He is now a full-time student at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and appears in their latest production The Mysteries in the Old Vic Studio until November 27.

The plays are popular versions of favourite Bible stories - including Noah's Ark, Cain and Abel, and the Garden of Eden - performed more than 500 years ago.

And next month Dave will appear in The Knight Before Christmas, a play for children about their favourite stories.

Dave said: "I started as a student here last year after about ten years of amateur theatre at the Dolman.

"I was working in finance, got made redundant and decided to come and do this instead.

"I had hated what I was doing for a long time anyway so losing my job was the shock I needed.

"It's brilliant - I love it. The school covers everything from voice training, studying theatre writing, dancing, improvisation, stage combat, how to do radio work. We're prepared for everything.

"The first show is a vernacular version of the Bible which covers everything from Genesis to the crucifixion. I'm playing Herod and I love it.

"And in the second show I'm the wizard Merlin - though I'm not playing him as a Welshman."