Pan-to is off to a flying start (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pan-to is off to a flying start

Thomas Gase, who also auditioned Ref: 99213-62TALENTED youngsters from Swindon have been battling it out for a place in Neverland with Peter Pan.

Children from across the town were auditioning for parts in this year's Wyvern Theatre pantomime and the chance to perform alongside stars such as former Brookside actor Steven Pinder who played Max Farnham.

And producer Daryl Back thinks the youngsters who turned up were all 'stunning'.

Sixteen boys will be chosen following the auditions.

There will be two Michaels and two Johns, the Darling children, and 12 more will be chosen to play the Lost Boys.

One of the lucky ones was Jerome Davies, 10, from Stratton, who was chosen to play Michael.

The Grange Junior School pupil hopes it could be the first step towards an acting career.

He said: "It was really, really good and fun as well.

"I was really surprised because I never thought I would get the part. There were loads of outstanding people at the audition and it was just good luck.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it. I'm really excited. I love acting and singing and it's a life-long dream to be an actor."

Nine-year-old Joao Carolino, of Nythe, was chosen to play one of the Lost Boys.

Joao, who goes to Holy Family Catholic Primary School, said: "It was good. When I did the first audition for Michael I was too tall for it, and I was a bit nervous.

"But when I did the second audition I was confident and in the end I got the part. We had to sing in pairs and we did a bit of dancing and acting. I wasn't really expecting to get a part. I just went for the fun of it."

James Green, nine, of Lydiard Millicent, wasn't selected but he did have a great time at the auditions.

The Lydiard Millicent primary school pupil said: "The audition went very well but I didn't get the part. I wanted to play Michael, the little boy.

"We had to learn a song and we learned how to speak posh. We had to first learn the song, then sing it to the judges.

"The judges chose which people got the parts. I wasn't sad as it's not every day you get a part in a pantomime and I enjoyed trying."

Producer Daryl believes Swindon has great reserves of talent.

She said: "The auditions have been fantastic. The children are so talented, and they come from a massive range of schools, which is so good for community involvement.

"We did a show last year but it seems the standard has got even better.

"I think it's because they enjoyed it so much last year."

She said that it was not necessary to have acting experience to take part in the performance.

She said: "One of the ones we chose was literally off the street but he has a fantastic personality and really great stage presence.

"It's fantastic seeing boys being brilliant. You see millions of brilliant girls but you don't see boys so often.

"They had to sing a lot and really perform and they rose to the challenge. They were stunning."

Peter Pan will run at the Wyvern from Saturday, December 10, until Sunday, January 8.

Tickets for the pantomime, costing £10, are available from the theatre box office or by calling 01793 524481.

David Andrew