NO-ONE was more surprised than York actor and dancer Reece McMahon when he was awarded a prestigious Peggy Hawkins Fund scholarship for the rest of his training at the London Contemporary Dance School in Euston.

"I've won this scholarship for the next two years without even knowing I was up for it," says Reece, now back in York to play Action in West Side Story, the Stage Experience summer project at the Grand Opera House.

"Six people hold the scholarships at any one time and because three third-year students were leaving, I'm one of three new ones who've been chosen, but the only boy. I was at the degree ceremony when suddenly they announced I'd won!"

Reece had faced a difficult choice, picking between drama colleges and a dance school, but his decision to plump for the LCDS has been vindicated. "The first year's been really good," he says. "It's been very challenging and I've really enjoyed the move to London, which has gone very well, living in a flat in Holloway 20 minutes from Euston."

As part of his scholarship, Reece will be mentored by Anthony Van Laast, choreographer of the film and stage versions of Mamma Mia! and now the upcoming Beauty And The Beast with Harry Potter star Emma Watson.

"I get to go round to his house, meet his friends from the dance world and go to events with him, and I'll also be doing a performance at The Place, the theatre attached to where I'm training," says Reece.

"It was a great honour to be given the scholarship and it's been a real boost for me after such a tough decision over where I should study. Coming back to York this month, there's a real sense that I'm doing right thing. You don't have to go to drama school to study to get into this industry. I'm learning a different skill set that will be just as useful.

"The training that we get is not just about preparing ourselves to be physically and mentally your best, but also you get to be a jack of all trades, learning to do business plans, how to apply for funding, how to write a CV; things that will give you a wide skill set.

"There's also an option to learn about being a lighting director and you can do a costume course too, as you decide which skills might help you."

In the meantime, from tonight, he will be an all-action Action in his 12th Stage Experience show at the Grand Opera House. "Action is the hot-headed one in the Jets gang, raring to go and up for the challenge, and he has the great comic moment in the show, leading the singing in Gee, Officer Krupke!," he says. "He's very real, young and excitable and a good example of how young people can feel today."

Scott will be appearing in West Side Story for the third time: "I was Snowboy the first time Louise directed it for Stage Experience and I was Riff in last year's show at CAPA, the performing arts college I attended in Wakefield," he says. "It's great to be doing it again."

Stage Experience presents West Side Story, Grand Opera House, York, tonight to Saturday, 7.30pm and 2.30pm, Saturday. Box office: 0844 871 3024 or atgtickets.com/york