Hoylake quartet on song for musical

Mar 12 2008 by Staff Reporter, Birkenhead News

FOUR talented youngsters have landed major roles in a touring West End show.

The Hoylake School of Dance pupils have been cast in the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific showing at the Liverpool Empire.

Amy Silver, Megan Hodgeson, Nathan Pearce and Sean Flanaghan will play the de Becque children in a tale that has enchanted audiences for years.

All of the pupils have dreamed of being on the stage from as early as they can remember.

At nine years old, Sean is already a musical veteran having played Chip in the touring production of Beauty and the Beast for the past three years.

He trains with the Royal Ballet School in Manchester and says boys take up dancing if they want to.

He said: “It’s so much fun and so exciting to be on stage. I get goose bumps just thinking about it.”

Amy, 10, Megan, 11 and Nathan, eight, will be making their professional debut.

Amy said: “I’m a little nervous about forgetting my lines or falling off stage. But I’m over the moon, it’s a dream come true.”

As well as dancing, the part involves acting and singing in French, and the pupils are thankful they are being taught the language at their primary schools.

Deputy principal Louise Rutter, who is supervising their rehearsals, said: “The staff are overwhelmed with pride. The kids have worked hard and really deserve it.

“It’s fantastic to see not just their performance skills develop, but also their confidence.”

The show opens on March 25.