A BASINGSTOKE schoolboy has been selected from dozens of hopefuls to perform on stage in the national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Ollie Butler will share the role of Benji in the national tour, when it visits The Mayflower Theatre, in Southampton this week.

The nine-year-old Preston Candover Primary School pupil has been a student with Theatretrain Basingstoke for the last two years, where he has been developing his skills in singing, dancing and acting.

He has already performed in two big summer shows and was also involved in the filming of a promotional video for Manydown Family Farm, in Basingstoke.

Ollie will perform alongside big name stars including Australian singer Jason Donovan and Duncan James, of 2000s pop band Blue, in the West End show.

He said: “I am really excited, this is my first big part in a theatre show. I was so happy to be chosen at the audition and I had a great day rehearsing with everyone in Manchester.

“I have learnt all my lines and my songs and can’t wait for my first performance.”