An actor is leaving the pyramids behind and stepping out of his role as a pharoah to start a musical director’s course at Warwick University.

Laurence Lorriman, who is a member of the Guiseley-based CarpetBaggers theatre group, has been awarded a bursary by the National Operative and Dramatic Association, as well as CarpetBaggers, to attend the course this summer.

Laurence, who lives in Keighley, is currently in rehearsals for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat where he is playing the role of pharaoh.

He said: “I can’t believe I am going. It’s going to be a great week and I am going to learn so much. I want to thank CarpetBaggers Theatre Group for giving me this opportunity.”

Chairman of CarpetBaggers Steven Clark said; “Laurence has shown potential over the past three years with our group with his musical ability. We decided it was time to reward him with a scholarship, with the view to him becoming a musical director for our group.”

The Youth Theatre was created by Steven on the back of the main group Aireborough-based CarpetBaggers. ‘ “I wanted a youth group who could do younger shows, as they cannot always take part in the adult productions,” he said. “Joseph was the perfect choice because it started out in a school for children to perform and even after all these bright and wonderful tours have been created, its roots still remain strong with children.

“The youth group in my production are full of energy, enthusiasm and passion. They are a wonderful bunch of youngsters and people should come along to support them and nurture the future generations.”

He said the first performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat took place in 1968 at Colet Court – the junior school of St Paul’s.

Andrew Lloyd Webber had been asked by the head of the Music Department at Colet court – where his younger brother Julian was a pupil – to write a ‘pop cantata’ for the school choir.

He joined forces with his friend Tim Rice to create an immediate success.

CarpetBaggers patron Christopher Biggins will be attending the show, which is being staged at Guiseley Theatre from July 24 to 27. Tickets from carpetbaggerstheatregroup.com or on (01535) 670354.