IT is a musical that has taken years to bring to the stage and a role so physically demanding that one reckless lunge of a sword could injure the lead actor.

This I learned while squaring up to legendary swordsman Zorro at The Mayflower theatre, as lead actor Matt Rawle taught me a lesson - never underestimate the magic of theatre.

As a keen member of the fencing club when I was ten years old I thought a second place finish in the monthly middle school competition would stand me in good sted.

I really didn't think it would be hard to lock swords with the actor who is currently wowing audiences in Southampton ahead of the show's West End run - but I couldn't have been more wrong.

Not only is the art of fencing more difficult than I remember, my knowledge of the theatrical world is also seriously lacking - as I came to realise, there is no such thing as a harmless plastic sword in Zorro.

The metal weapons used are designed for well-trained actors and could easily injure a Daily Echo journalist who is slightly reckless and clearly didn't have a clue what he was doing.

"I have been training for sword fighting and fencing since December with Terry King who is one of the best swordsmen in the country," said Matt, who was dressed as Zorro's alter-ego Don Diego.

"It's not about stage combat, you really have to know fencing to perform the role. It is a show with lots of sword fighting and swinging on ropes so you have to be very fit to be able to take up the role," he added.

Quickly swishing the silver foil in zig-zag motion, Matt demonstrated how he performs the signature "Z"

mark which the masked hero makes with his blade.

"You have to be very fast," he said, and despite reassurances that my attempt was not that bad', I was pretty sure if I was to try and repeat the Zorro moves on stage I could easily injure those sitting in the front row of the audience.

In fact, as the musical continues its world premier run at Southampton and other theatres in the UK before hitting the West End next month, Matt revealed the swordplay doesn't always go according to plan.

"At a previous show I was left with a scratch on my chest while fighting with a female actor," he said.

Attempting a battle in the entrance of the theatre, I lunged a sword at my opponent, but the Zorro star was more than able to defend any attacks from this inexperienced swordsman.

Slightly nervous about how much there is to learn about the simplest sword fighting moves, the theatre staff were not the only ones who were relieved when Matt was called away to prepare for the afternoon show.

On the advice of people watching, I decided to leave the swordplay to the professionals and cut short the desire to reprise my childhood hobby.