A FUTURE star of the stage from Hampshire has landed the role of Benji in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Ten year old Beau Dowinton is appearing on stage at Mayflower Theatre this week.

Beau landed the part after attending an audition with the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA), whose exclusive agency for children and young performers, Quirky Kidz Creative Management, is the official children’s Casting Director and Child Management team for the show. There will be 54 boys playing Benji throughout the UK tour. They have the exciting opportunity to work closely with a professional cast including star of stage and screen, Joe McFadden.

Beau, who attends Abbotts Ann C of E Primary School in Andover, trains at weekends at PQA Eastleigh, based at Barton Peveril College, where he takes classes in Comedy and Drama, Musical Theatre and Film and Television.

He told the Daily Echo: “I am so excited to be performing with the Priscilla team. I auditioned for the part in 2019 and was so nervous! But then Jason Donovan and Joe McFadden made me feel relaxed and I felt so privileged to have the chance to perform in such a fantastic show.”

Beau’s parents, Emma and Roy Dowinton, added: “We are delighted that Beau has the opportunity to perform professionally in such an amazing show! From the audition process through to the rehearsals and preparation we have been astounded by his commitment and enthusiasm. He is supported so well by the Quirky Kidz agency and the Pauline Quirke Academy in Eastleigh, we couldn’t ask for a better team around him.”

Josephine Shaw, Theatrical Agent for Quirky Kidz Creative Management, said: “We are very proud of Beau, who has taken the role of Benji in his stride. Priscilla is a really fun show with a great cast and crew. We hope that Beau has a brilliant time making his professional debut. Break a leg!”

Based on the Oscar-winning film, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for Alice Springs to put on the show of a lifetime. Their epic journey is a heart-warming story of self-discovery, sassiness and acceptance. The iconic hit musical has more glitter than ever before, featuring a dazzling array of stunning costumes, fabulous feathers and a non-stop parade of dance-floor classics including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, I Love The Nightlife, Finally and many more.

It runs until Saturday.

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk