ALEXANDER Abineri might be making his professional stage debut at the tender age of just 12, but he won't have to look far for support.

Alexander's dad, Sebastian, will be playing his on stage father in the Winslow Boy, due to open at the Palace Theatre on Tuesday, August 28.

Set against the strict codes of conduct and manners of the early 20th century, the Winslow Boy is based on a father's fight to clear his son's name after the boy is expelled from naval college for stealing a postal order.

The play is based on a true story about clearing a boy's name to preserve the family's honour. Had they not done so, the family would have been shunned by their peers and society and the boy's life would have been wrecked by the stain on his character.

"The father takes on the crown and court," says Sebastian Abineri, from Westcliff.

"He brings the case to court by what they called petition of right. It's a beautifully written piece."

In 1972 at 18, Sebastian made his stage debut in the same play along side his brother when it was staged in Folkestone.

"My bother played Alex's role and I was the older sibling," Sebastian explained.

"But it was very funny because we got down there ready for the week-long performance and realised my brother only had flourescant coloured socks - not the required black. Well, it was the Seventies! We couldn't find any black socks to replace them last minute, so I had to spray his feet black instead!"

Sebastian comes from a long line of distinguished actors - both his father and grandfather went into the industry. His dad, John Abineri had a successful career, most notably for playing the role of Hubert Goss in Survivors and received an Emmy nomination for his performance as Chingachook in the TV adaptation of Last Of The Mohicans in 1971.

Sebastian himself has just completed a run on the west end stage performing alongside Rosamund Pike in Summer and Smoke.

"Performing at the Palace is just the same as performing on the west end stage," he says.

"We put the same amount of energy and effort into it and the theatre is just as beautiful as the Appollo or any of the others in the west end."

A classic play that was originally performed on Broadway in 1947, the Winslow Boy is rarely reproduced due to the difficulty in casting the boy.

"Newpalm asked Alex to read for them," says Sebastian.

"They loved him and he got the part."

St Thomas Moore pupil Alexander is relishing his first major acting role, but is understandably a little nervous.

"I'm really looking forward to being in the play," he says.

"But to me the theatre is huge and I'm a bit worried that my voice will get sucked up and no one will be able to hear me!"

Sebastian offers him some gentle reassurance and talks about the importance of treading the boards.

"I think it's important because you learn in a theatre what works for you," says Sebastian.

"On camera you don't get the same feed back. It's good to learn your craft in a small theatre, away from the critics!"

For Sebastian, who has a lifetime of stage experience behind him and for Alexander, who has a lifetime of stage experience in front of him, the theatre seems to be very much alive and kicking.

"People seem to be moving away from TV a lot more now," says Sebastian.

"There's not much drama on television these days and there's something about coming to the theatre where the audience has to work as well - they have to believe."

The Winslow Boy Tuesday, August 28 until Saturday, September 1 Palace Theatre London Road, Westcliff 7.30pm, Thurs and Sat at 2.30pm Tickets: From £10.50 01702 351135