A Caldicot Maths teacher is celebrating his 40th year performing in amateur dramatic productions across Gwent.

By day, Graham Bryant, 61, can be found walking the halls of Caldicot Comprehensive where he has taught Maths for almost 20 years. But in his spare time, he is often found with script in hand, preparing for a role for one of the many drama societies of which he is a member.

Father-of-five, Graham Bryant, 61, who lives in Monmouth with his fellow Maths teacher wife, Jane, has always held a deep passion for theatre, but as a youngster he strove to excel academically, undertaking a degree in Civil Engineering at Cardiff University.

"I grew up on a council estate in Cardiff and we didn't have a lot of money" he said.

"In those days it was tough to even go to university, so the only option I had was to study and stay living at home."

He worked hard for his degree but after three years of working as a civil engineer, he found it was not for him.

"I decided to get a PGCE and became a maths teacher which I have loved ever since," he said.

"But I never lost my desire to act and joined my first amateur dramatic society when I was 21."

Over the years, he has performed for a plethora of amateur dramatic societies including Cyncoed, Monmouth Theatre Company, and Caldicot's CMTS. He has performed in sell-out shows at the Dolman Theatre and won critical acclaim for performances in plays such as Pygmalion, Oliver, Proof, and The Importance of Being Earnest.

His favourite roles, he says, were playing Rene in Allo Allo and his most beloved role, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. He also turned his hand to directing, as has his wife, who directed him in Hello Dolly.

Mr Bryant can currently be seen performing the part of 'Maurice' in Christchurch Theatre Club's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which runs from January 25-28. For more information visit www.christchurchtheatreclub.co.uk