Private School News

BISHOP’S STORTFORD COLLEGE PUPIL LANDS ROLE IN BIGGEST SELLING WEST END SHOW OF ALL TIME

Twelve year old David Ballard, from Sawbridgeworth, is over the moon after landing a part in OLIVER!, the biggest selling West End show of all time. The talented young actor will share the Theatre Royal Drury Lane stage with Griff Rhys Jones who has been cast as the new Fagin and Jodie Prenger who plays Nancy.

David, who attends Bishop’s Stortford College Junior School, will perform in the chorus, singing some of the much-loved hit songs, including ‘Food, Glorious Food’, ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘Robbery’.

“I auditioned during the summer holidays and was invited back in September,” explained David. “At this second audition, we were taught a dance, which we then performed as a group, plus a song, which we had to perform on our own. I was really nervous! Rehearsals started last week, less than a week from getting the phone call and I will be going three times a week. My first performance will be on 21st December and after that I’ll be performing about twice a week until March. It is hard to juggle everything I have to do but I love it and I hope it will lead to better things.”

Auditioning for a very different type of role, David is hoping to play the part of Mercutio in a film production of Romeo and Juliet at Bishop’s Stortford College Junior School. Filming begins next term and will be screened in the summer term. David is also a member of the Phoenix Theatre School and performed as John Darling in Peter Pan at Harlow Playhouse in September.

Based on an interview by fellow pupils: Sadie Clifton, Elise McCusker, Hannah Griffiths, Catherine Ellis and Victoria Snowden.

Photograph: David Ballard