CONSIDER yourself playing the lead role in a West End musical.
Ten year-old Ryton-on-Dunsmore boy Oscar George does not need to as he has landed himself the part of a lifetime – playing the lead role in a London production of Lionel Bart’s smash hit Oliver.
The Crackley Hall pupil is familiar to audiences at his school for his star turns in school productions of Aladdin and Mary Poppins.
Oscar previously got down to the final eight from hundreds who auditioned for the role of Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – and the experience stood him in good stead leaving him determined to win the role of Oliver.
The stagestruck youngster said: “In the audition we had to sing Where is Love? and Consider Yourself as well as learn a dance routine and act a scene from the play when Oliver had just arrived in London.
“I knew that I wanted the main part, I didn’t just want to be a member of the Fagin gang.”
And Oscar’s wish came true when he heard the news he would share the lead role with two other boys for Endellion Theatre Company’s production to be staged in March.
The eight performance run will give the cast of young performers a taste of London theatre life with the show taking place at the historic St Giles in the Fields Church in Covent Garden.
Rehearsals will begin in earnest next month with Oscar travelling down to London to meet the cast and begin his theatrical journey.
“I guess the whole thing is pretty cool,” added Oscar. “I really enjoy the freedom acting gives me and it’ll be great to work alongside other people who love being on stage.”
Despite his early success Oliver has not yet decided if he wants to pursue a career treading the boards.
