NINE-YEAR-OLD Ashley Margolis is proving to be a "chip" off the old block after landing one of the major roles in the The Palace Theatre's production of Beauty and the Beast.

Young Ashley, who is a pupil at King David Junior School, is performing as "Chip the tea cup" in the spectacular production of the Disney musical.

And he is receiving advice from the best possible source for the demanding role: his father Robert Margolis who is an accomplished name in amateur dramatic circles.

Robert (44), who lives off Sergeants Lane, Whitefield, is the secretary of Middleton AODS and, together with his sister, Debbie, is involved in the production side of the Jewish Theatre Group.

Even mum, Lindy (37), has spent time treading the boards of amateur theatre and said: "Ashley and his sister, Sophie, have grown up with it."

Ashley, who celebrated his ninth birthday yesterday (Thursday October 31), first got a taste for performing when he joined the cast of Oliver at the age of six with Middleton AODS.

And with two pantomimes under his belt he thought nothing of auditioning for Beauty and the Beast.

Lindy said: "We saw an advertisement for the show around six weeks ago and I took Ashley down for an audition. I must admit he has been on stage far more than we expected. Robert and I were extremely nervous for him, considering he had to perform in front of 2,000 people, but he was so confident. We are very proud of him."

In his role as Chip, Ashley is dressed up as a tea cup and performs some solos before being transformed back into a boy.

His favourite number is Be Our Guest and he delivers some lines that get the audience laughing early on in the show.

Lindy said: "The show is spectacular and there are some amazing magical effects. Robert and I sat there amazed. Even though we know about theatre tricks we still couldn't work out how they were done."

Beauty and the Beast runs at The Palace until February 8, 2003, and Ashley will feature until December 14.