A TALENTED Wey-mouth actor has taken to the West End stage as the leading man in the musical Chicago.

Chris Stanton, 23, stepped in for Clarke Peters to play sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn for the first time this week.

Mr Stanton, a former pupil of Budmouth Technology College, landed the part of understudy to Mr Peters after roles in Grease and Tonight's The Night.

He is starring alongside Les Miserables actress Francis Ruffelle, who plays the female lead Roxy, previously played by Brooke Shields.

Several of Chris's family and friends went to see the performance at the Adelphi Theatre in London after hearing of the news.

Chris's parents, Neil and Valerie Stanton, who run the Marquis of Granby pub in Weymouth, were delighted to see their son in the limelight.

Mrs Stanton said: "We are all very proud of him.

"He has worked hard for it so he deserves it."

Previously, the part of Billy Flynn has been played by former EastEnders actors Michael Greco and Michael French.

Mr Stanton began his acting career with WOW Youth Musical Theatre before graduating from Laine Theatre Arts, Surrey, in 2003.

Chairman of WOW Youth Musical Theatre Janet Stockley was also in the audience to see Mr Stanton perform.

She said: "I was absolutely bowled over by his performance.

"He studied the part very carefully and really did have the mannerisms of Billy Flynn."

Chris, although nervous, was thrilled to have the opportunity to play a West End lead.

He said: "It was a strange one because Billy Flynn

doesn't come on until half-an-hour into the show so you are standing around a bit.

"But as soon as you start, that sort of feeling goes out the window."

When he is not playing Billy Flynn he dances and sings as a member of the ensemble.

He is joined by Weymouth actress Ebony Molina, 22, who landed the role of understudy for Mama Morton in the show.