WHEN Felixstowe amateur dramatic enthusiast Tony Shearman was told to 'break a leg' before his up-coming play, little did he realise that days later he would be in plaster.

WHEN Felixstowe amateur dramatic enthusiast Tony Shearman was told to 'break a leg' before his up-coming play, little did he realise that days later he would be in plaster.

Mr Shearman, of Victoria Street, was all set to play the role of Micky in the performance of comedy Role Play next week - something he had been rehearsing to do for the last three months.

But after sustaining a ruptured Achilles tendon when he slipped while playing volleyball, he has been left in plaster and unable to take to the stage.

He said: “I can't quite put into words how I feel. I'm just devastated.

“I was really looking forward to performing in the play because it's very funny and I had a really lovely part in it. The role of Micky meant I was a minder for an ex-pole dancer, but there's just no way I can perform now.

“We'd spent months rehearsing and for this to happen so close to the performance is devastating.”

Mr Shearman, who can only manage to get around with the aid of crutches, is a keen amateur actor and has recently finished performing in another show.

He is also a budding writer and is a member of the Felixstowe Scribblers writing group which has started to make its own science fiction comedy film called The Lost Sock.

Mr Shearman said: “At first I didn't think it was that serious, but when I woke up the next morning it was really painful so I went off to hospital.

“It's going to take me about eight weeks before I get back to full fitness which means any scenes I'm in for the film we're making could have to be put back too.”

Felixstowe Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society, the group behind Role Play, has been fortunate enough to find someone to replace Mr Shearman.

Director Sheila Phillips said: “We were very lucky to find someone because there's so much going on at the moment.

“The man we found to replace him says he will learn all his lines, which we didn't expect but will be wonderful if he manages it.”

The play will be performed at Deben High School on October 27, 28 and 29 beginning at 7.30pm. Tickets are £7.