Callum follows in the stars’ footsteps

Callum Mann will be one of just 48 pupils to enrol at the Sylvia Young Theatre School – following in the footsteps of the likes of 
actress Billie Piper, popstar Rita Ora and McFly star Tom Fletcher.

The 11-year-old from St Annes has long held ambitions to tread the boards of the West End, and his dreams will likely come true attending the stage school, which has provided cast members for everything from War Horse the film to musicals The Lion King and Bugsy Malone and TV shows Doctor Who and Game Of Thrones.

Proud mum Sue said: “He’s always been into 
theatre, dancing and singing. We went to see Fireman Sam when he was three and since then he’s wanted to be on stage.”

Callum started classes at Clifton Academy, in St Annes, when he was four-years-old, and by five he was appearing in musical Consider Yourself on the Opera House stage. It was at a summer school in Clifton Academy this year that one of Callum’s dance teachers said his talent was strong enough to apply to some national stage schools.

The family applied to Sylvia Young in October, seeing Callum go up against hundreds of others in an open audition before being one of just 70 to be called back to do both group and solo performances, including acting Shakespeare.

And after impressing with his singing, dancing and acting ability, he is now one of just 48 new recruits to join the school next term.

He said: “I feel a bit overwhelmed and amazed but I’m really excited and happy.

“It will be an amazing experience.”

The Lytham St Annes Technology College pupil will move down south next September, to live, study and train at the stage school.

It will be a big move both for the only child and parents Sue, 47, and Stephen, 50.

Mum Sue added: “As his parents we’ve got to help him to achieve this, we’ve got a bit of time to get used to it.

“We want to support him but we never expected to lose him so quickly.

“The school feels like a community, very family like. This was always the aim, though, and he’s taken it all in his stride.”

He added: “It’s going to be hard leaving my family but it will be really good to train there.”

Callum aspires to one day perform on a West End stage, and in his favourite musical Billy Elliot.

He said: “I just love the atmosphere of the theatre, watching it or performing.”