HE HAS starred in 20 plays and met 200 children annually over his 10 year career but now Boris has been stolen.

The green stuffed catfish has been the mascot for The Cast children’s academy of stage training since he starred in their first ever production of Seussical the Musical 10 years ago.

Actor and drama tutor at The Cast, Jamie Jarvis, explained that the fish called Boris had just finished being used in the summer school’s production of Aladdin, having a cameo appearance in the Aladdin’s cave scene.

Following the end of this year’s summer school, the 5ft length fish was being stored among other props.

Mr Jarvis was unloading the props from his car to his house on Mill Street, Caerleon, when the mascot, along with £200 worth of other props, was taken from the vehicle.

He said: “I was particularly upset about Boris as he is part of the theatre group and the children love using him in plays.

“He has had a starring role in all of our productions over the last ten years and the audience try to spot him in the scenes.”

The Cast run classes at Caerleon School and Rougemont School and approximately 200 children a year are introduced to Boris annually.

He said: “The children are devastated as Boris is with us on a weekly basis and he has built up a character.

“We just want to appeal to the public to help us to find Boris. He really was a one off, as we picked him up from a charity shop in Newport and can’t find another to buy.”

He said that over the year’s Boris has picked up almost celebrity status and even had a special place in the theatre’s programme during productions.

Other productions that Boris has starred in include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Jungle Book, and Annie.

He added: “I appeal to whoever finds him to return him, even anonymously by leaving him on my road, so that he can continue starring in our productions.”

The Cast was founded in 2004 by Mr Jarvis and Andrea Lewis offering theatre training to young performers aged 4- 16 years old.

Lesson’s that are run in Newport, Caerleon and Cardiff accumulate into a performance.

During the summer holidays, the group run a summer school, which also ends in a production.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “Items are believed to have been taken when the vehicle was parked outside the address on Mill Street, Caerleon, sometime between 8am and 8.15am on August 12.

“Officers are investigating the incident and anyone with information can call 101 and quote log number 342 3/9/13.”