Connor lands role in West End Oliver (From Andover Advertiser)

Connor lands role in West End Oliver

4:30pm Friday 20th March 2009

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A NINE-year-old star in the making from north Hampshire is set to make his West End breakthrough next week by landing a role in the hit stage musical Oliver.

Connor McGrane, who has performed on Basingstoke stages countless times, has won a place as one of the boys in the cast of the London stage show Oliver, which stars Rowan Atkinson as the miserly Fagin.

The talented schoolboy, who goes to St Bede’s Primary School, in Popley Way, Basingstoke, said: “It’s really exciting. I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to get on stage – it’s great fun!

“I love performing, but I like the acting the most and at the end everyone gives you lots of applause.”

Connor has been going to Saturday acting classes with Stagecoach, in Sherfield-on-Loddon, for a few years.

He played a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz at The Haymarket last year, and was the young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol in Basingstoke this year – both with his 11-year-old sister Nicole.

The young thespian – who will take to the stage on Tuesday – said: “The Wizard of Oz was the first big show I did, so that was a bit nerve-wracking, but I got through it.

“I think I get less nervous now, but this is the West End, so I’m a bit nervous about that!”

He will be in Oliver – singing favourites including Who Will Buy and Food Glorious Food – for six months.

Proud mum Claire McGrane, of Fox Lane, Oakley, has had a busy time this month as Connor has been ferried to and from rehearsals.

Claire said: “We are really excited for him, but we’ve been up and down to London like a yo-yo for rehearsals, disrupting school.

“Once it’s started on March 24, it should be okay, although I think he is going to be quite tired.”

Connor’s dad Niall added: “He followed the Nancy programme on television diligently so he’s really made up over this.

“The big thing is appearing with the man who is Mr Bean – all his friends want Rowan Atkinson’s autograph!”

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