HIGH-WATTS ROLE FOR OUR LYNDON
GEELONG stage star Lyndon Watts celebrated the Melbourne opening night of West Side Story this week.
The show marks the Newtown native’s first lead role in a major musical as he takes on the character of Bernardo.
It is a role with which he is more than familiar, having played it in Geelong with Footlight Productions and while studying at the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
Writing on social media this week Watts said the opening performance was one he’d been dreaming of since he was a kid “clutching souvenir programs of musicals”.
“I had the incredible moment where I realised this show is a culmination of everything I have ever wanted, dreamt of and worked for my entire life,” he said.
“Playing a role of substance, using my skill set and being a valued part of something bigger than me … achieving this means more than words can say.”
The former St Joseph’s College student had previously been in the cast ensemble of Disney’s Aladdin The Musical and was the cover for the notoriously wicked Jafar.
Since being announced as a cast member of West Side Story more than seven months ago, Watts has undergone intense ballet classes, strength, fitness and flexibility trainin training.
Th That’s helped him prepare for what is known in the industry as a very t technical show with themes and c choreography that demand a grea great deal of physical and mental discip discipline.
We West Side Story is on at the State Theatre Theat until April 28. Tickets via artscentremelbourne.com.au artsce