A Kilmarnock schoolboy will tread the boards of the country's most prestigious theatres.
Thomas Connor will play the role of Young Charlie at the Tony Award-winning musical, Kinky Boots which will take place at King’s Theatre in Glasgow.
The 11-year-old combines performing with his studies at iNTER Performing Art Academy in Glasgow.
Thomas, a P7 pupil at Gargieston Primary, is now in the thick of rehearsals with the show set to take place from Tuesday, April 11 to Saturday, April 15.
Since Thomas was three-years-old, he was interested in performing and joined the Scottish Youth Theatre and later the East Ayrshire Youth Theatre where he had his first role on stage as a munchkin at the Wizard of Oz production in the Grand Hall.
Thomas’s most recent role was as a Young Maddens at Nativity!The Musical, where his friends suggested he try out for Kinky Boots and he got the part.
His mum, Dovile Connor, said: “We’re very proud of Thomas for all the hard work he puts in. He’s always enjoyed performing. Every Saturday he goes to his theatre school from 9am until 5pm where he’s getting ready for any rehearsals for his shows and takes up opportunities to audition.
“Rehearsals for Kinky Boots have been on Sundays and he’ll spend most of his Easter holidays going back and forward for rehearsals, costumes and performances.
“Thomas is new to this so it depends on the role but it took half a year from auditing to Nativity!The Musical to performing it on stage.
"His busiest day was when he did a show at the Theatre Royal and then went to film the Airthrill East Kilbride Christmas ad where he was Kevin McAllister from Home Alone and got a Talkboy as a memento.”
Dovile added: “He’s coping, and he keeps up with school work well. The school have been very accommodating, not only for his performances but also for his exams which we really appreciate and he was also in the school show Beauty and the Beast before Christmas.”
Thomas said: “My favourite thing about performing is the buzz you get when you see the audience. In Nativity!The Musical there was the scene where we asked the audience to use the lights on their phones and the whole Theatre Royal lit up. I feel like I was helping them to make memories.
“I felt privileged playing in Glasgow because it has many iconic theatres. The great thing is being part of the team, working with performers and seeing audience reactions. Auditions are hard, you prepare and do your best, but you also know you will not get everything you want.”
Thomas’s favourite show is Les Miserables, he recently auditioned for the role of Gavroche in London and unfortunately wasn't chosen for the role.
He said: “I will always want to be Gavroche or now I am getting older, perhaps the role of the innkeeper, Monsieur Thenardier will suit me as I always like to add some personality and character to my performances and give the audience a smile.”
Thomas will now rehearse every weekend until the Kinky Boots starts on April 11 and is hoping to attend other auditions after the show will finish.
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