Newry school girl swaps books for the West End stage
Meet Sophie Lennon - a future star of the West End ✨
An 11 year old Sacred Heart school girl from Newry is set to take to the iconic West End Stage next month, staring alongside well know musical stars from Chicago, Cats, Hamilton, Les Mis and Wicked.
Sophie Lennon, a student of Flynn Performing Arts and Stage Box, has just been cast in the 30th Anniversary performance of ‘The Children of Eden’ in London’s West End.
Fellow cast members include Alice Feran (Come from Away, Wicked), Carl Spencer (Hamilton), Leslie Garcia Bowman (Hamilton), Jessica Lee (Les Misérables), and Ruthie Henshall (Billy Elliot, Chicago).
Balancing a new school and rubbing shoulders with some of the world's greatest musical stars will be a challenge. But it's something Sophie can't wait to start.
"I'm just so excited, it's hard to know what to say – it’s just so overwhelming. I knew Ruthie Henshall and some of the other names so it’s really exciting to be involved in a show that has such big West End music stars."
Sophie's mum Therese Lennon says describes that last few months as a whirlwind, but is delighted for her daughter. "She’s really level headed so is going to school and rehearsing on Zoom in the evenings to get ready. She just loves performing – and these are some amazing opportunities for her.
"When it all starts, Sophie will travel to London for weekend performances, but will be back in school uniform on Monday!"
Sophie was recently selected from 5000 Irish entrants to represent Ireland in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in France this December.
She scored the highest mark ever recorded to qualify for the illustrious competition, which has shot many a performer to fame.
Alongside her musical ambitions, Sophie is a keen actress and has recently been cast in her debut performance on ITV – in a brand new series (as yet under wraps) due to air early next year.
She is joined by three other pupils from Flynn Performing Arts, Newry namely Conrad O’Connor, Lauren Mooney and Molly Houlahan.
Founder and director of Flynn Performing Arts, Fiona Flynn said: ‘I am so proud of Sophie & Conrad, Lauren and Molly.
"They work incredibly hard and deserve all the success that comes their way. I am especially delighted to be a part of Sophie’s journey and I know how thrilled she is to tread the boards in the West End. I am delighted to see her singing potential stand out in the Junior Eurovision and I’m excited to see what the future brings for this young lady who has already achieved so much at such a young age."
Break a leg Sophie! 🎉
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