The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Rising star Ryan shin es in spotlight of Scottish musical theatre awards
performance: Kirriemuir man honed his talents in Forfar productions
A talented Angus student of musical theatre has stepped on to the stage at the SECC in Glasgow and into the limelight to receive a top national award.
Ryan Kopel, 20, from Kirriemuir, picked up the title of Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer 2018, which acknowledges his outstanding talent.
And for the well-known Kopel family, it is success in a different field for the grandson of legendary Dundee United footballer Frank.
Ryan was joined by two other performers for the final in the Lomond Suite of the national exhibition centre at the weekend.
Auditions for the competition, open to Scottish students aged between 18 and 21 studying musical theatre or a recognised programme, were held in Glasgow and London.
The three finalists performed in front of a distinguished panel of judges – Billy Differ of BBC Radio Scotland; Stephen Whitson, associate director for the West End productions of 42nd Street and Hamilton; Claire Moore, star of London’s West End; and Janice Forsyth, award-winning broadcaster.
During his formative years, Ryan appeared in local productions in Kirriemuir Town Hall and the Reid Hall in Forfar.
A former pupil of Isobel Luke from Brechin, he performed with Rising Youngstars and Angus Musical Youth Theatre.
From the age of 13, he has been working towards a career on stage and screen.
He attended the Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow, Scotland’s Centre of Excellence for Dance and Musical Theatre and then moved to London to study at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, completing his studies in a few weeks’ time.
Ryan recently played the role of Leo Frank in Parade in London.
His interpretation of the role, emotion and singing brought him praise from many in the industry.
At the Young Scottish Musical Theatre Awards, he performed Almost Like Being In Love” from Brigadoon and Prepared from The Danger Year.
His performance wowed the judges, who crowned him Scottish performer of the year.