An ogre-worthy performance

Current Year 7, Thomas, has the lead role in Stagecoach Fulham’s spring show, Shrek the Musical JR. Following months of rehearsals, he and his fellow cast members will be performing this Friday in front of a packed audience.

After starting LAMDA lessons at his primary school, which he continues at Wetherby Senior, Thomas began to get main roles in his primary school plays, including Aladdin and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Over the summer holidays, he took part in a Stagecoach workshop production of Treasure Island, playing Trelawny, and he now continues with weekly Stagecoach classes after-school.

Thomas said: “My audition for Stagecoach’s Shrek the Musical JR went really well, and I was very excited to get the main part. Of course, this did mean I had a lot of lines to learn but, luckily, I have a good technique – and a great mum – to help me. I go over my lines many times, with my mum reading the other parts in the script to me. In that way, my own lines stay in my head, and I also learn my cues at the same time!

“I’ve found doing Shrek’s Scottish accent quite tricky, so some of the words were real tongue twisters. It was also funny putting on the green face paint in our recent dress rehearsals. I know that, before Friday’s performance, I’ll feel nervous but, once I get on stage and say my first line, I’ll feel completely at home, in my swamp!”

Break a (green) leg, Thomas!