Meet Poppy, Dexter, Estella and Cristian, the talented young cast members starring in our upcoming production of The Secret Garden – The Musical.
Discover how the young performers fell in love with the world of theatre and why they wanted to be part of the show.
How did you get started in the world of theatre/playing music?
Cristian Buttaci: I made my professional debut at the age of 10 in The Witches musical at the National Theatre. I have been singing in choirs since the age of 4 and I’m also a passionate drummer.
Poppy Jason: I had my first audition at age 9 which was for Les Misérables and I got it! I did Les Misérables for a year and then went back in August for the 40th Anniversary Gala. I fell in love with theatre working on Les Mis!
Estella Evans: I started singing lessons in year 4 and then I started auditioning!
Dexter Pulling: When I was around 7 years old my mum said I had too much energy, so she had the idea of signing me up for a theatre company! I went and started learning Matilda and I really enjoyed it. I kept going and learning and before I knew it, I was obsessed!
What made you want to be part of The Secret Garden – The Musical?
Estella Evans: I read the book when I was a little girl and loved the story, so I’m very excited to be a part of it.
Cristian Buttaci: I first read The Secret Garden when I was eight years old. I really loved the storyline and the themes in the book. I jumped at the opportunity to audition for The Secret Garden as I knew it would be a fantastic production, with stunning music.
Poppy Jason: It’s my mum’s favourite book and I loved the film! The songs we sung at the audition were magical.
Dexter Pulling: I thought it was very interesting that the music was going to be played by the people on stage performing! That got my attention straight away, as it’s something very new to me.
What was your favourite past performance, and why?
Dexter Pulling: Les Misérables, I played Gavroche in the show for four years! I did the UK tour, West End Production and the International Arena Tour. I loved the way the show was written and the songs, I will truly never forget the feelings and experience the show gave me.
Cristian Buttaci: My favourite past performance was Starlight Express, where I played the role of Control in the original cast of the new revival. I spent ten very special months working on Starlight and I felt honoured to work with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Michael Harrison. I also made lots of wonderful friends.
Estella Evans: Matilda the Musical because it was my debut, so it was new and fun!
Poppy Jason: Being on stage with theatre royalty at the 40th Anniversary Gala for Les Mis. I got to meet Michael Ball and Matt Lucas!
What do you do when you’re not performing?
Cristian Buttaci: In my spare time, I love singing in various choirs. I also really like drumming, roller skating and football. I belong to a local football team and enjoy match days!
Dexter Pulling: I enjoy playing football for my team and I have just started bouldering. I like listening to music, hanging out with friends and going on bike rides.
Poppy Jason: I create videos and movies, write songs and play with my friends.
Estella Evans: Colouring, reading and lots of schoolwork.
The Secret Garden – The Musical opens at York Theatre Royal on 19 March with previews from 17 March and runs until 04 April.
Find out more information and book your tickets here.
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