Oxfordshire schoolboy completes Matlida West End stint

Thirteen-year-old Joseph Burrows, from Chilton in Oxfordshire, played Nigel in the West End production of Matilda the Musical at London’s Cambridge Theatre.

The show, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book, has been running in the West End since 2011.

Joseph, now in Year 8 at Aureus School in Didcot, landed the role after auditioning at age 11.

His mother, Louise Burrows, said: “Joseph had just finished his SATs, so it was a good time in Year 6, when everything important had finished and there was a lot of downtime.

“He was still in Year 6 when he was doing all the rehearsing, and he had just started in Year 7 at Aureus when he began the show – in fact I think he missed the first couple of days at school because he was performing.”

She praised his school for its understanding and support during his time in the West End.

She said: “The school have been brilliant.

“I made sure they were kept in the loop with Joseph’s schedule each week, and the teachers would put things in the online classroom.

“There was also the same support from the team at Matilda. Joseph’s wellbeing was always the priority.

“We’d be doing homework on the train and looking at lessons. The way Joseph managed it all was amazing.”

“It was quite something for an 11- or 12-year-old boy to carry on with everything and to manage to balance it all.”

Joseph was recommended for the role by someone from Step in Time Performing Arts School in Didcot, where he regularly attends classes.

Mrs Burrows explained that at the time, her son didn’t have an agent.

She said: “She was just testing the water through open auditions and put Joseph forward for Matilda.

“He was called for an audition, and went through and had a callback the same day, and then had to go back three or four times before he got through to the final few.

“Then we got the news that he’d been offered the part, and we were soon going up to London a few days a week doing rehearsals.”

Joseph went on to perform in 135 shows during his two years in the cast.

Mrs Burrows said: “Joseph had the time of his life.

“He absolutely loved every minute of Matilda.

“It was a brilliant experience, and he learned so much and made so many friends.”

His next stage appearance will be closer to home.

He has been cast as Marlin in Nemo Junior, set to be performed at the Cornerstone in Didcot next month.

His twin brother Benjamin and younger sister Layla will also appear in the show.