WOULDN'T it be magic to work on the new Take That musical? Well one Dalgety Bay teenager has landed a prestigious work placement when it opens its doors to the public in Manchester next month.

Former Dunfermline High pupil Joshua Ford, 19, is set to be the first trainee producer on 'The Band', which tells the story of the famous boy band.

He will join the musical's crew for four weeks at the Manchester Opera House to gain experience before going back to his degree course at Paul McCartney's musical school within the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

Although he admits he isn't a die-hard Take That fan, he believes the opportunity is one he will never forget.

"I would listen to them but am not a huge fan," he told Press:ON. "It is the experience that is very exciting and it is more like who the producers are. They have done things like Calendar Girls and the Full Monty."

Joshua, of Skuar Drive, said the musical had already attracted £40 million in ticket pre-sales and he knows this is something which will look impressive on his growing CV.

The aspiring theatre producer is soon to start second year at the former Beatle's music school, where he is studying for a degree in Management of Music, Theatre, Entertainment and Events.

In his first year, he set up a theatre company, Ampersand Theatre, with two fellow students which made its debut performance at the Edinburgh Fringe this week.

"They wanted to put on a show but didn't have the business skills to do it," explained Joshua.

"We came together and formed our own theatre company. I am really excited about it."

Rubbing shoulders with the high notes of the music world is something Joshua is getting used to. 

Back in April, he attended a masterclass at university with Paul McCartney while Elaine Paige has also popped into speak to students.

The success from the last 12 months is something he believes has grown from a love of theatre which developed since his school days. He started off with the Young Music Theatre Scotland in Kirkcaldy and then helped backstage at the Kelty Musical Association for many years.

"I had massive support from them and it is where it all came from," added Joshua.

"The one thing I look back at is I was told by my careers advisor that I would never make it. He said arts wasn't a real career and I should go and do a trade. 

"I left school with no exams, went to college for a couple of years and then got into the Paul McCartney School. It has been amazing."