Gary Gibson was a high-flying broker who thrived in a world of cut-throat competition ... until two years ago.

He had good prospects for promotion and was more or less guaranteed a job as a director at a computer firm.

Then he gave it all up and moved to Brighton to become an actor.

He struggled through working as a postman to support his family while studying at Brighton's only acting academy, The Academy of Creative Training.

But his dream kept him going and now all the hard work has paid off for Gary who is appearing in a production of Roald Dahl's The Twits which comes to Brighton in April.

Gary Gibson, whose stage name is Sidney Sloane, said: "I loved my career, but I had been doing it for ten years and had come to a crossroads in my life. I enjoyed the communication aspect of my job, but I needed a bigger challenge."

When Mr Gibson saw an advert in The Argus for the acting academy in April 1997, he knew he had to pursue it. He had a faint memory of performing in a school play when he was 14, but that was it.

Mr Gibson, of Upper Bevendean Avenue, Brighton, said: "I never even had an inkling I may go into acting."

He auditioned for the two-year drama course in August 1997, attending a two-week workshop in February 1998 and began the course in April.

Mr Gibson, 33, said: "That was it, I was completely hooked. Nothing was going to stop me. I knew I would be giving up a lot, particularly financially, but I never had any doubts. I trusted my gut instincts and believed in myself."

He gave up his well-paid job as a broker in London and became a postman in Brighton.

He said: "My wife had just given birth to our son Joshua Ali, so it was a difficult time to take a massive cut in wages.

"I worked 5am to 1pm doing my deliveries, I slept from 1pm to 6pm, had classes from 7pm to 10pm and then would often do overtime at the post office through the night. But the whole time the classes got me through."

Now less than a year after he graduated, he is appearing in The Twits. As the narrator, he tells the darkly humorous story of Mr and Mrs Twit.

When the revolting Mr Twit orders the Muggle Wump monkeys to spend their lives upside down on their heads in a cage and Mrs Twit reveals her desire for birds in her cooking pot, it is the perfect recipe for rebellion.

Mr Gibson said: "I have real freedom to get into the role and have a lot of fun.

"My favourite bit of the play is when the monkeys and the roly-poly bird turn the Twits' world upside down to get their own back on them.

"The Twits are just about to get their gun out to shoot the birds, when I blow a whistle and all of the audience have to put their shoes on their hands and duck.

"It's great as kids have no inhibitions, so I try and let them create their own world.

"Too many children's stories don't leave enough up to the imagination. The Twits is fabulous for kids and adults of all ages.

"I have no fear when I am up on stage. Every time I say a thank you to God. I am so grateful for the opportunity to make people feel something in their heart or their soul.

"When I am up on stage I know it has all been worth it."

The Twits is at the Theatre Royal in Brighton from April 10 to 14.