He was not quite `born in a trunk' at the theatre, but by the age of about three weeks, Daniel Frith was happily settled amidst the life of a busy theatre school. As the son of former Boston Ballet dancer Barbara Frith and musician and teacher Doug Frith, the Jackson School of the Performing Arts (where he would be watched and fussed over by Louise Jackson and others while his mother taught) provided a classic enough upbringing for someone who is now determined to make the stage his career.

That dream took a big step forward when he was accepted, last year, into the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts, considered to be one of the top three in the US, and hailed by Helen Hayes as "infinitely the best school in America''.

With only 30 drama students accepted each year and with a huge roster of guest teachers that include Olympia Dukakis, Rosemary Harris, Hal Holbrook, and Jean Stapleton, many go on to find fame and fortune, including such stars as Tom Hulce (title role in `Amadeus'), Katharine Buffaloe of Broadway fame and TV `soaps' idol Matthew Ashford.

Daniel, 18, who becomes a `sophomore' next term, is already well known to Bermuda audiences, having played the title role in the BMDS 1995 pantomime, `Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood', and Prince Edward in their Bermuda Festival production of `King Richard III'. At Saltus, he took the leading roles in `The Dracula Spectacula', `Grease' and `Ghost Writers'.

Mrs. Jackson recalls that he took part in his first recital when he was three, "and Barbara gave him her ballet slippers that she had used when she was three! He has the distinction of being one of our first -- if not the first -- male dancer at the school.'' Noting that he went on to write all the scripts for the `Disney-type' musical staged in her summer schools, Mrs. Jackson says that, having been one of her drama students, he ended up teaching the class before he left for North Carolina. "Oh yes, we've had a great time, raising Daniel -- he's wonderful!'' Frith looks for a career in the theatre Two people whom Daniel describes as having been "inspirational'' are also full of praise for their former pupil: after his performance in `Dracula', Saltus Deputy Head Nigel Kermode commended Daniel's dedication and predicted that his determination and talent "will win through'; similarly, after he attended the Summer Shakespearean Course at the London Academy of Performing Arts, famed director David Perry (also one of the leading lights at RADA for 18 years) recommended him for a professional career in the theatre.

Admitting that he was surprised by the fact that the first year of his course was so `physical', Daniel says he soon got used to a gruelling day that lasted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. "You have to be in very good physical shape to meet the demands of any character that comes along in an acting career. We are really being given the practical tools of the profession -- and next year, I have to tackle fencing, dance and unarmed combat! As we gradually learn the physical aspects of the craft we can then apply that knowledge to the process of acting. I have learned a lot about myself this past year. Every day, as human beings and, especially as we get older, we learn to suppress emotions. Some of the things I've learned about myself are not all that wonderful,'' he adds with a laugh, "but you have to know yourself in order to take on a character, or to step into someone else's shoes for a couple of hours.'' Admitting he has "always'' wanted to make the stage his career, Daniel realises he is entering a world that is highly competitive. "I was fascinated by the fact that I could instil emotions in other people and had always been interested in the need to perform. Mind you, almost the first thing we were told was to `throw away' the idea of performing for ourselves, the idea of going onstage thinking `wow, this will look really good' - you go on stage to act, to assume another character, that's all. Of course, you have to have that initial drive to get you on a stage in the first place!'' Gifted, serious -- and refreshingly modest -- Daniel believes that, far from being a `frivolous' career, theatre plays a central role in any society "because art allows for creativity. Bermuda is a small place and the arts bring the outside world into Bermuda, and broaden people. I think theatre also creates a sense of unity -- something else that is needed here.'' He quotes famed director Peter Brooke who said that `Theatre is a constant checking device for keeping society healthy. It exposes the public lie that everything is OK!'. "That all applies, I believe, to Bermuda. Just showing a play that has a dark and sinister side can be a real eye-opener! It doesn't have to be a play about Bermuda or Bermudians to get the message home -- writers like Shakespeare and Ibsen speak with a universal voice. `Peer Gynt', for example exposes the complacency, lies and hypocrisy of Norwegian society but it could equally apply anywhere. I truly do believe that a flourishing theatre makes the world a better place.'' This summer, Daniel joins his parents in again running, through BMDS, their Theatre Youth Workshop at Dayelsford for children aged from nine through 14.

"We did it for the first time last year and this time, it will be more focussed on specific aspects for children, concentrating on the natural creativity of children, opening up the imagination. I am doing this course for myself, as well, because we can learn so much from children whose imaginations are still intact. You only have to watch children playing a game of `It' to realise how deeply engaged they become in the acting exercise, with all those inner monologues saying `I don't want to get caught'! That's a real emotion they are expressing. Children need art and theatre in their lives -- it gives them poise, confidence in themselves, and the ability to express themselves. I hate to use a cliche,'' he adds ruefully, "but children are our future and I believe that the theatre is a very effective way of bringing out the best in children. All too often the `child' in us gets snuffed out as adults and then we suffer the unhealthy consequences of stuffing our emotions.'' Paying tribute to his parents, Daniel admits he is "very fortunate''. Even so, he says it was only when he went away to North Carolina that he realised the full extent of their talent. "I suddenly realised they were true professionals in every sense of the word and really, very amazing artists and individuals, so now I have an even greater respect for them.'' The Theatre Youth Workshop will be held at the Daylesford Theatre, Mondays to Fridays, August 4 through 29. Children aged nine to 11 will attend morning sessions (9 a.m. to 12 noon) and Ages 12 ro 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. Students will perform an original musical play in the theatre on Saturday, August 30. for further information and registration please telephone 236-8667.

DANIEL FRITH -- Last year he was accepted into the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts, considered to be one of the top three in the US, and hailed by Helen Hayes as "infinitely the best school in America''.