LITTLE Agatha Meehan is living her dream by starring in a hit musical in the West End.

The nine year old is a pupil at St George's RC School, York, but for the past few months has been attending lessons in the capital, where she is playing Summer in School of Rock –The Musical at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane.

Agatha's family – mum Katharine, dad Ray and brothers Isaac and Dillon – have stayed at home in Kelfield, near York, while she lives in a shared house with other cast members 200 miles away.

 

York Press:

The role of Summer Hathaway is one of the leading children's roles in the show– Summer is the band manager in the story, which is based on the hit film starring Jack Black.

Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music for the musical. The story follows Dewey Finn, an out-of-work rock singer and guitarist who pretends to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After identifying the musical talent in his students, Dewey forms a band of fifth-graders, in an attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands contest.

The musical made its West End debut last November.

York Press:

We asked Agatha some questions about what it's like to be on the West End stage, whether she misses school, and how she copes with stage fright and homesickness. Here are her answers...

Tell us about your part in School of Rock, how you got it, and what it means to you to have such a big role in a musical in London?

I play Summer Hathaway in School of Rock The Musical. It is one of the kids' leading roles and is a great part to play because Summer is the band manager and gets to be in charge. I train with Stagebox musical theatre in Leeds and last November they put me forward for an audition. Three auditions later I found out I had got the part and I was ecstatic! It feels amazing to have achieved my dream of performing in the West End when I'm only nine years old.

What have been the best bits of being in School of Rock – The Musical?

The best things are making so many new friends and having the opportunity to sing, act and dance in front of hundreds of people. With my fellow cast mates I have also been lucky enough to perform at award ceremonies, walk the red carpet and be on TV.

Do you get stage fright? If so what do you do to control your nerves?

I don't really get stage fright because I am so used to doing the show. I was nervous before my opening night but relaxed after I had said a few lines.

You go to School in York – are you missing your school friends. How are you keeping up with your studies while you are in London?

I do miss my school friends but I still go to my school regularly. There is a classroom in the house in London for those who stay there and my teacher sends work to the School of Rock tutors for me to do when I'm there.

What is it like living away from your family in London and how do you get on with your new housemates?

When I'm performing I live in a house with other children from the cast who live outside of London. There are more boys than girls but I have older brothers so I am used to that! I am really good friends with the three girls I share a room with. It feels strange not living with my family all the time, but it is exciting living in London. I have quite a few pets and I really look forward to seeing them when I go home.

Do you get homesick? How are you coping with it?

Obviously I miss my family but I don't get 'homesick'. I am so busy which distracts me and I facetime my mum and dad a lot.

What would you like to do next?

After School of Rock –The Musical I would like to continue performing while enjoying other hobbies. I feel like I'm living the dream and have enjoyed every minute of the experience. I would love to have a career in the theatre and I am excited for the future.