Love is in the air for David in West Side Story

David will be known to many local musical theatre enthusiasts for his fantastic performance as the Phantom in the recent production of Phantom of the Opera by Lisburn company Fusion Theatre.

Anyone who saw David’s performance in Lisburn would be forgiven for thinking he had been a performer since a young age. However, it was only at the age of 18 that David became interested in musical theatre, after taking to the stage in a school production of, by coincidence ‘West Side Story’.

“I never really considered musical theatre until I was about 18,” explained David. “I grew up with a very sporting background, playing hockey and running.

“I knew I could hold a note but I never thought it was something people would pay to see. In my last year at Friends’ School a few of us decided to do the show for a bit of craic.

“I then went to singing lessons with Ashley Fulton and since then I have performed with Fusion in Phantom and Boys in the Photograph, as well as with Ulster Operatic in Grease and New Lyric in their last production of West Wide Story, when I played the secondary lead of Riff.”

David auditioned once again for New Lyric and was delighted to get the lead role of Tony. “My girlfriend encouraged me to audition,” he revealed.

“The rehearsals have been really intense but it is going to be worth it. I have never played a romantic role before so it has been a challenge for me but it is a role I have really been enjoying.

“I love the music of West Side Story, it has some beautiful songs and I know it is going to be a great show.”

West Side Story runs at the Grand Opera House from Tuesday November 18 until Saturday November 22. Tickets, priced from £14, are on sale from the Box Office or online at www.goh.co.uk.