Shropshire actor Sam's a real Jersey Boy
Shropshire actor Sam Ferriday is beginning a stage run at one of the Midlands' top theatres.
Sam, from Telford, is appearing in Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, at Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre.
The show opened on Tuesday night and looks set to play to packed houses until January 4.
Sam – real name Sam Jones – attended Thomas Telford School where he got the acting bug. He went on to train at the Rose Bruford School of Speech and Drama and has previously appeared in a UK tour of HMS Pinafore.
In Jersey Boys he plays keyboardist Bob Gaudio, and met the musician – and Frankie Valli himself – when he flew to America last summer.
"Bob just put his arm around me and said 'Have fun with it," said Sam, 26.
Click here for review and photos from Jersey Boys at our entertainment site Native Monster
The young actor has previously said that all of his family members are planning to see the show, which is packed with hits including Beggin', Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don't Cry, Let's Hang On (To What We've Got), Bye Bye Baby and Can't Take My Eyes Off You.
Sam has an advantage over other members of the cast because he grew up listening to the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as his father is a huge fan.
He used to play a tape of their greatest hits on family outings to The Wrekin and has described his role in the musical as a "dream job".
Jersey Boys runs at the Birmingham theatre until January 4.
