A YOUNG boy has made his West End debut after landing a part in the stage adaptation of hit movie The Bodyguard.
Joshua-James Thomas, 13, of Wynchgate, Harrow Weald, is one of four child actors starring as Fletcher, the lead character’s son, in the musical version of the 1992 film, which featured Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.
Proud mother and father Deborah, an author, and Donald, who works for Kensington and Chelsea Council, were present at The Adelphi Theatre, in The Strand, to see their son’s debut on March 18.
Mrs Thomas said: “He looked totally professional, like he had been doing it for years.
“I spoke to other audience members who said he was fantastic.”
The stage story is different to the movie version and Fletcher’s part is larger, meaning Joshua-James gets to sing solos and lead the ensemble into numbers. The teenager will star in four productions every two weeks.
The Hatch End High School pupil, who used to attend Quainton Hall School, in Hindes Road, Harrow, and The Barbara Speake Stage School, in East Acton, west London, previously starred as Goody Goody Gordon in Horrid Henry: The Movie and has several other television shows and advertisement credits to his name.
Mrs Thomas said: “He’s been acting professionally since he was seven.
“He’s done lots of theatre and was the first ever year eight student to land the leading role in a Hatch End High School production, playing Joseph in Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
“He had three weeks of rehearsals for The Bodyguard.
“He was really excited about the role and nervous about performing in front of the West End crowds, but he loves the buzz of the experience.”
Mrs Thomas said her son, whose sister Mellody Wilson-King, 27, is an R’n’B singer, enjoys fashion designing in his spare time, particularly women’s outfits, and has made dresses for schoolfriends and family members.
