SIMON Radford is the very definition of a polymath.

At 27, he runs his own maths and science tutorial business in Monaco; is in the process of arranging his PhD studies in mathematics and theoretical physics; plays no fewer than seven instruments; has directing and producing credits to his name; and finds time in his diary to take the lead role of Buddy Holly in York.

From Wednesday to August 12 he will be appearing in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, the first of two shows in quick succession to be staged by Robert Readman's Pick Me Up Theatre at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, the second being the York premiere of Dogfight from August 13 to 15. More of that show in the August 6 edition of What's On in The Press and online.

First, let's return to Simon Radford, who graced the York stage for Pick Me Up Theatre at ridiculously short notice in Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods last December. "I joined with only two days to go before the show. I turned up with my case for the tech rehearsal, did the dress [rehearsal], then the show, though I'd never done the show before," he says.

He played not one, but two roles, Cinderella's Prince and The Wolf, but how come he could learn the parts so quickly? "I'm a huge Sondheim fan, otherwise I might not have learnt it in time, but it was in my head."

It may not come over this way in print, but Simon is not being boastful. He is blessed with multiple talents, but he mentions them in passing rather than to impress you. Such as, after Skegness Grammar School, he went straight to a Masters degree in mathematics and theoretical physics; or, only prompted by a question about playing guitar as well as singing in Buddy, did he reveal he could also play bass guitar, piano, organ, drums, harmonica and the Chapman Stick.

The what? "The Chapman Stick is a kind of mixture of guitar, bass and piano," he explains. It does exist, in case you think he's making it up, but he could probably have invented it, given his talents.

He initially trialled for his PhD at the University of York in 2011, but has put that to one side at present to focus on tutoring business in Monaco. "I've been tutoring in maths and science since I was 16, and I now run my own business in Monaco, where I live, with clients all over the world: USA, East Asia, Africa, all over," he says.

Nevertheless, he fell in love with York's "amazing theatre scene" during his time here, playing the principal role of Leo Bloom in York Stage Musicals' 2011 production of The Producers, and so he has made a priority of his latest York commitment, Buddy in Buddy, perfecting his Lubbock, Texas accent and all.

Pick Me Up Theatre presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, August 5 to 12, 7.30pm, including Sunday show, plus 2.30pm on August 8. Box office: 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk