He’s like a kid “playing house” on one of the biggest stages of the world, but Reuben Joseph’s heart is still in Helensburgh.

The 25-year-old is just a couple of months into a year of seven shows a week as Alexander Hamilton in the multi-award-winning musical.

It’s a long way from his first role as little Benjamin in P3 at Hermitage Primary when he was aged seven or eight.

Mainly, he says, he was following in the footsteps of his older sister Florence, –insistent that anything she could do, he could do better.

The second oldest of four children – and the one boy –admitted he “overacted the hell” out of his first role.

And in some ways, he’s still like a wee kid, playing house.

“There is that adrenaline rush that comes with performing,” he told the Advertiser.

“It’s also fun. Even when it’s not fun, it’s fun. 

“I mean, it’s in the word, isn’t it? I do equate my job to playing houses - like you’re outside like you’re a wee kid playing houses.”

Reuben, who has also appeared on TV screens, in a supporting role in the 2021 drama Vigil, set on board a fictionalised version of a Clyde-based nuclear submarine, first auditioned for Hamilton without having seen the show.

He was familiar with the music, and saw occasional videos online, and tried for a standby or understudy role.

“I got to the last round for that and was really gutted when I didn’t get it,” he said.

“Initially I thought I was going to have a hard time seeing the show, seeing what could have been. 

“But as soon as you sit down and you see the wealth of Black and brown talent and BAME performers on the stage, it was a renewal.

“Well, this show isn’t going anywhere and neither am I, because I will be in this eventually, or I hoped to at least.”

Growing up, Reuben didn’t really see many musicals, and so the lack of diversity in older shows wasn’t apparent until he experienced the opposite.

“Being on the other side now, of being in Hamilton now and seeing young kids who are Black or brown or BAME, it is exciting,” he said.

“It’s not just box ticking, honestly. I think the more varied people you use to tell a story, the better the story. 

“Across gender, opinion or where these people even trained. Hamilton is great for that. I didn’t go to an official drama school - I didn’t even study musical theatre.

“It’s whether they can execute on this job and bring their own style and substance to that part that they cast people in. 

“The cast of Hamilton is made up of many different people - people who didn’t go to drama school, people who left high school and ended up getting into the show, people who trained all over the world and the highest echelon of performance art.

“And we’re all here together. So diversity in that sense also helps and is key to making Hamilton a good show.”

There’s diversity within the role itself for Reuben. He’s got a year of shows to do, but it’s not a repeat every night. There’s a wealth of ways he can play Alexander Hamilton, he says, and he’s always finding more.

“I find something new in the role every time I do it,” he explained.

“It’ll be the longest I’ve ever done a run of anything. But this part is a gold mine in terms of what element do I want to focus on today.

“Am today I going to try to focus on energy? Do I get to play the chip on my shoulder? Or do I really want to focus on making Hamilton a good listener tonight and see what that does?

“In a sense, it’s going back to drama school or college - it’s a similar set up in that you see the same faces every day and you have a home base, as it were, to practice in and grow in.

“I’ve got a year worth of shows so I can choose. So many elements to play in terms of character.

“Do I want to try to knuckle down on the singing tonight? Am I going to try and emulate Kendrick Lamar? There’s so many different avenues to explore. 

“This will give you back as much imagination as you put into it.”

With so much energy needed for the role, and such a massive stage to practice his craft, does he feel like a role model?

“That alley and stage door can be quite mental sometimes with the amount of people who might hang back to meet the cast,” he said.

“So I’m still coming to terms with that. But it’s very nice, by the time you reach the end of the little alley outside the stage door you’re back in your anonymous world again, which is a very nice level of fame.”

And what about his family in Helensburgh? Mum Ros has been “inundated” with messages of praise, he says.

But has sister Florence accepted that he’s outdone her?

“No, you kidding me?” he laughed. “She’s a paediatric nurse - she’s outdone me. She’s actually doing a real-life tangible thing, helping save lives.”

And his message to Helensburgh?

“I love you all,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without the care and support of community and family and friends. 

“I’m doing it for you guys, doing it for everyone back home.

“Sending Helensburgh my love and hope to see everyone soon.”