"Andy Grainger", as he was initially credited, formulated an acting career through his love of musicals. He began a West End theatre acting, dancing and singing career in 1987 at age 22 at the Prince of Wales Theatre playing "Benjamin" in a stage and road production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, directed by Michael Winter, and in 1990 playing "Lt. Buzz Adams" in South Pacific, directed by Roger Redfarm. He also portrayed "Dr. Orin" in a 1994 production of A Little Shop of Horrors at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre directed by Lindsay Dolan.