From the North East to the West End! We’re delighted to report that two local stage stars have recently landed coveted places with the British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT), a UK-based national performing arts organisation. Fantastic news.
Teenagers Ella McFetrich (from Morpeth) and Freya Topping (from Jesmond) were selected to join BYMT after a gruelling audition process.
The girls have been heavily involved in dance, drama, and musical theatre from a very young age, and pursue their passions while remaining committed to their studies and co-curricular pursuits at Dame Allan’s Schools, in Fenham. It’s all about balance, after all!
“Bringing joy to audiences through performance is incredibly fulfilling”
Ella, 16, has secured a role in BYMT’s summer production of ‘Wonderland in Alice’ – a movement-led reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, exploring Alice as a non-binary character.
Having danced since the age of three, Ella now trains at CAST Academy in Morpeth while signed to Gateshead’s Peanuts Talent agency. As if that wasn’t enough, she recently took a London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) Grade 6 exam while studying to sit her GCSEs this summer. Now that’s impressive!
“On stage, I enjoy being able to be someone different,” said Ella, who wants to study A Level Drama at Dame Allan’s Sixth Form. “Bringing joy to audiences through performance is incredibly fulfilling; it’s a chance to unite people and offer them a brief escape from reality.”
The Year 11 student, who has performed in Oliver! at the Tyne Theatre, as well as Little Shop of Horrors and Grease at Alnwick Playhouse, has been heavily involved in dance and drama at Dame Allan’s, playing the part of Ripper in the school’s recent production of High School Musical.
Ella added: “I hope to go to a performing arts school after A-Levels and forge a career in musical theatre of some kind; I’d love to perform in the West End.”
“I also like the idea of directing as I have a strong imagination”
Freya, 15, aspires to be an actress and first joined musical theatre school at the age of four. She attended Stagecoach and the Chimney Sweep Theatre Company in Newcastle, before joining The Actors Forge, a regional training centre for budding actors.
The Year 10 pupil at Dame Allan’s, who passed her Grade 5 LAMDA and Grade 8 Musical Theatre exams with distinction, was chosen to take part in BYMT’s recent production of Animal Farm in Birmingham.
“I just like being in front of an audience and making people laugh,” said Freya, who played the role of Miss Tenny in High School Musical at Dame Allan’s. “I hope to continue doing musicals but focus more on getting into TV and film. I also like the idea of directing as I have a strong imagination.”
Freya has performed in Wind in the Willows at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, and sang at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music during professional dancer Brendan Cole’s ‘Show Man’ tour. She has also performed in the West End Stage showcase at His Majesty’s Theatre and The Shaftesbury Theatre, in London.
Will Scott, Dame Allan’s Principal, praised Ella and Freya on their accomplishments. He said: “Their dedication to their studies and their passion for the performing arts exemplifies the spirit of excellence we strive for in our students.
“They are shining examples of the extraordinary potential nurtured within our schools, inspiring their peers to pursue their dreams with enthusiasm and determination.”
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “Congratulations to our local stars, Ella and Freya, for their outstanding achievements in musical theatre! Your talent, dedication, and passion have brought our North East community immense pride and joy. Hopefully we’ll see you on the West End sometime soon!”
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