Berwick teenager secures place at top London theatre school

He has won a coveted place at one of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious theatre schools, the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

Morgan’s passion for performing emerged at a young age: his mother, Wendy recalls how from the moment he could talk he could entertain and would create shows to perform to family and friends.

As soon as he was old enough Morgan joined Berwick’s Maltings Youth Theatre where, under the tutelage of Wendy Payn, he appeared in roles such as ‘Ratty’ in Toad of Toad Hall and had a turn in drag in Interstellar Cinderella which would have made RuPaul proud. He also appeared in several of The Maltings’ in-house professional pantomimes.

Aged nine, Morgan joined the Spittal Variety Group where, having been a Babe in the Wood and played the comic role of ‘Helmut’ in The Snow Queen, an outstanding audition landed him the role of the villainous ‘Child Catcher’ in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, playing against adult cast members.

Morgan would also became a leading light in the Berwick Operatic Society, where highlights include the role of ‘Dodger’ in Oliver!, the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and ‘Stan’ in Made in Dagenham. Morgan has been nominated three times for a NODA Award, winning twice for his latter two roles.

Morgan is a firm favourite with The Tideline Runners Theatre Company. Local playwright and director RJ Flynn cast him in Sam & Isla Forever as Sam’s brother, Chris.

During rehearsals for Oliver! a fellow cast member suggested to his parents that he should attend a summer school at the MGA Theatre School in Edinburgh and secured funding from the Berwick Rotary Club to help cover the cost.

From there Morgan hasn’t looked back: he was invited to join the Fierce Theatre School in Edinburgh (which he attended every Saturday) and the MGA Theatre School (which he attended on a Tuesday evening).

Having completed an HNC in Musical Theatre at the MGA Academy, Morgan starts his BA(Hons) course at the Italia Conti Academy in the autumn.

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