First steps taken towards stardom
An aspiring actress and former pupil of the Minster School, Southwell, is studying at a top London drama school.
Evie Osbon (13) of Longmead Drive, Fiskerton, started at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in September.
Former pupils of Italia Conti include the actress Patsy Kensit, singer Amy Winehouse and comedian Russell Brand.
Pupils study singing, dance and acting as well as academic subjects such as maths, English and science.
Evie said: “I wanted to go to Italia Conti because I’d been involved with a lot of the drama groups and classes around Southwell and I felt that I had got all the benefit out of it and wanted to move on to the next stage.”
Evie started her drama training at the Stagecoach School, Southwell, before being taught by the drama coach, Miss Laura Field, of Southwell. She also trained at the Newark Dance Academy.
To win her place at Italia Conti, Evie had to go through auditions to demonstrate her acting, dancing and singing skills.
Her father, Mr Kevin Osbon, said: “The audition process is similar to that illustrated in the film and stage show Billy Elliot and she was in competition with hundreds of hopefuls.
“Getting into Italia Conti was a real achievement and overcoming all the hurdles to get in took a lot of drive and determination. These are the first few steps towards her final goal.”
Evie, who started performing at four, has had lead roles including Peter in Peter Pan at the Palace Theatre, Newark; and Alice in Alice In Wonderland at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham.
She had a part in Oliver Twist at the Theatre Royal and toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company as part of the Shakespeare 4 Kidz production of Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Other achievements include winning the Shakespeare drama category at the Wolfit Drama Festival and appearing on television on the Richard and Judy Show.
Evie hopes to perform in the West End after graduating.
She said: “I would quite like to be in musical theatre, or follow the more serious acting route.
“I’m not too sure yet though. I’m going to wait until I’ve done more training and then decide.”
Evie said she enjoyed being at Italia Conti but missed her friends from the Minster School.
She said: “I live with a family in London during the week and I come home at weekends.
“It is hard being away from home but because it’s so intense — we get home so late and then we have tea and do homework and then it’s time for bed — so I don’t have a chance to think about it.
“It sounds cheesy but if I had to give advice to anyone I’d say if you have a dream chase it.”
