Excitement building for young stars of Oliver (From Ilkley Gazette)

Excitement building for young stars of Oliver

12:18pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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The excitement is building for two 11-year-olds who will have star roles on the stage at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre when Ilkley Upstagers present Oliver there.

Burley-in-Wharfedale’s Eddie Paget has the lead role of Oliver and this will be the first time he gets to tread the boards at the Alhambra.

For Askwith’s Jed Morris, who has the role of the Artful Dodger, things will not be quite so strange as he appeared in Upstagers’ Full Monty on the famous Bradford stage last year when he had the role of Nathan.

The two boys will appear in the popular Lionel Bart musical after competing against the area’s most talented children to claim the roles in the production.

“It was very daunting auditioning against so many people,” said Eddie. “Boys had come from as far as Leeds and Harrogate to audition for the role of Oliver, but I was the lucky one who got the role.”

“I had a great time acting at the Alhambra last year,” said Jed, “but the pressure is on with this show as I am involved in a lot of big dance routines.”

You can judge Eddie and Jed’s performances next week when Oliver is staged between July 15 and 18 at 7.30pm, with a matinee on July 18 at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost between £12 and £15 and can be booked at the Alhambra box office on 01274 432000.

Upstagers are running coaches from Ilkley’s central car park on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights to ensure that their usual local support is behind them in the bigger venue.

Anyone wishing to book places on the coaches is asked to ring Sue on 01943 607944.

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