Where are they Now? May 2011

As ever, the theatre, TV and film-worlds continue to feature the work of past members of the National Youth Music Theatre. Few have been busier than MATT LUCAS (1987, The Roman Invasion of Ramsbottom) who has featured in all three categories since. Following his double-appearance as both Tweedledum and Tweedledee in Tim Burton’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND, he has also recently had a major TV Series, COME FLY WITH ME, and is soon to open as Thenardier in LES MISERABLES in the West End. Matt has also recently become a Patron of the International Youth Arts Festival in Kingston, as has SHERIDAN SMITH (1995-99, Pendragon, Bugsy Malone, Tin Pan Ali, The Kissing-Dance) who has dominated the London stage for the past 15 months with her magnificent Olivier-Award winning performance in LEGALLY BLONDE and her current, critically acclaimed role in FLAREPATH at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket directed by Trevor Nunn. There are strong rumours that she next will be playing the lead in the new stage production of BRIDGET JONES. Keeping the NYMT flag flying in LEGALLY BLONDE is SIMON THOMAS (1994 – 2000, Oliver!, The Ragged Child, The Kissing-Dance, The Dreaming) playing Warner following his excellent performance as the Prince in INTO THE WOODS in Regent’s Park last summer, while another playing a lead for TREVOR NUNN has been BEN BARNES (1997-2002, The Ballad of Salomon Pavey, Bugsy Malone, The Ragged Child, The Dreaming) in BIRDSONG at the Comedy Theatre. Ben’s latest film, KILLING BONO, has enjoyed popular acclaim. JAMIE BELL (1996-8, The Wizard of Oz, Tin Pan Ali, Bugsy Malone), is also enjoying current film success in THE EAGLE). Next in the Trevor Nunn/NYMT continuing link is JAMIE PARKER (1997-9, The Beggar’s Opera, Into The Woods) who is playing Guildenstern in the new production of ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD at The Haymarket. Hot off the press is the casting of MIKE JIBSON (1995-2000, Tin Pan Ali, Bugsy Malone, The Kissing Dance) in Stephen Sondheim’s new musical ROAD SHOW, which has its European Premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory in June. On screen, look out for TOM HOLLANDER (1981-2, The Leaving of Liverpool, Captain Stirrick) in the highly-praised new film, LEAH. Tom has also just completed a long run at The Old Vic in A FLEA IN HER EAR under the direction of Richard Eyre. TIM McMULLEN (1980, Tin Pan Ali) was also in the cast and goes on to play Simyanov Pischick at The National Theatre. FRANCESCA JACKSON (1997-8, Bugsy Malone) is at The Duchess Theatre in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET; ADAM PEARCE (1999-2000, Pendragon, Oklahoma) plays Squelch in LOVE NEVER DIES at the Adelphi alongside SIMON GREEN (1994, Bugsy Malone), OLIVER THORNTON (1996-7, The Beggar’s Opera, Aurelius) continues his hilarious leading role in PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, DANIELLE COOMBE (1988-9, Drake, Oliver!)and CHARLOTTE RIBY (1994, Whistle Down the Wind, creation, Tin Pan Ali, Warchild) is playing Diva at The Palace while ADIBAYO BOLAJI and DARREN CARNALL (1996-8, Bugsy Malone, Tin Pan Ali)are in the cast of GHOST at The Piccadilly. JONNY LEE MILLER (1986-9, Bodywork, The Ragged Child, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Les Petits Rats) is sharing the roles of FRANKENSTEIN (1996-9, Bugsy Malone, creation, Aurelius, Tin Pan Ali) and THE CREATURE with Benedict Cumberbatch at The National Theatre, where PHILIP CUMBUS (1996, Bugsy Malone, Tin Pan Ali)is also currently in One Man, Two Gunners directed by Nick Hytner. DOMINIC MARSH is in THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG with the Knee High company at the Gielgud. TOM SUTCLIFFE (1996, Warchild) and SEAN PARKINS (1997-8,Bugsy Malone) continue in WICKED at The Apollo Victoria and CHARLES EDWARDS (1986 -9, The Ragged Child, Les Petits Rats, the Caucasian Chalk Circle) following a recent stint at The National, joins the 2011 company at Shakespeare’s Globe to play Benedict in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. At Drury Lane, soon to open in SHREK as Lord Farqhaal, is NIGEL HARMAN (1991, October’s Children) alongside DELROY ATKINSON (1995, The Threepenny Opera) and STUART PRICE (1995-6, Bugsy Malone, Tin Pan Ali) while MICHAEL PICKERING (2004, Oklahoma) following a tremendous performance as Athos in The Four Musketeers at The Rose last Christmas, is now in GREASE playing DOODY in the West End. JUDE LAW (1987-1990, Bodywork, The Ragged Child, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Captain Stirrick, The Tailor of Gloucester) returns to the Donmar company to play Matt Burke in ANNA CHRISTIE. Jude also became a patron of NYMT in August 2010, joining TOM CHAMBERS, who has landed the plum role of Fred Astaire in TOP HAT. The choreography world is currently represented by PETER DARLING, (1977, The Ballad of Salomon Pavey) whose work on BILLY ELLIOT continues to make the show one of the top draws in London and CAROLE TODD, (1984, Drake) is doing the same for DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS at the London Playhouse Theatre and on tour. From that same production in 1984 SUSAN PERKINS is never off the TV; the same goes for KONNIE HUQ (1990, Captain Stirrick). Watch out for AMY NUTTALL (1996-8, Whistle Down The Wind, Aurelius) who is soon to appear in the new series of Downton Abbey. MARK QUARTLEY (1998-2003, The Ragged Child, Oklahoma) is currently on the road playing the lkead in PRIVATE PEACEFUL and ADAM KNIGHT (1995-6, Pendragon, Warchild)has recently become Director of Productions at The Belfast Opera House. LOTTIE WAKEHAM (2004, The Kissing Dance) has recently directed THE KISSING DANCE to great acclaim at The Jermyn Street Theatre with a cast that included GINA BECK (1998-2000, Warchild, Pendragon, The Kissing Dance) and IAN VIRGO (1998-2000, The Kissing-Dance).