'..... confidence and command of the stage beyond his years.'

Published on isbi School News dated Wednesday 25th of September 2013

Oundle Fourth Form (Year 10) pupil, Lewys Ball (14) arrived back for the start of the new School year fresh from appearing in Youth Music Theatre UK's production of the musical Variété at The Riverside Studios, Hammersmith.

Variété is based on B�chner's play Woyzeck and was a bold choice for this enterprising company. Youth Music Theatre UK uniquely produces new work and numbers amongst its alumni the singer Ed Sheeran.

The Financial Times review of Variété singled Lewys out for special praise, commenting, 'the laurels go to young Lewys Ball whose Wolf Boy, complete with yelps, howls and, of course, songs, displays a confidence and command of the stage beyond his years.'

Lewys commented, 'I rehearsed for two weeks with the Youth Music Theatre in London. We then went to Riverside Studios where Celebrity Juice was being filmed in the studio next door and where we had our dress rehearsal. There were 6 performances in 4 days with press, various agency representatives and a Trinity Guildhall examiner (who is grading my Grade 8 Musical Theatre exam) in the audience one night. I had such a great time, it was really fun to do and the costumes and set were amazing!'

Whilst this was Lewys's first YMT production, he has also been in the amateur West End productions of the Lion King as Simba and The Wizard of Oz, playing the part of Toto.

Director of Oundle's Stahl Theatre, Ali Boag, commented, 'This exciting development in Lewys's young career will come as no surprise to anyone who saw his portrayal of Passepartout in the School's musical 'Around the World in 80 Days' earlier this year. It is fantastic that his prodigious talents are being recognised in the wider world.'