Youngster gets dream duet with West End superstar

A YOUNG Perth singer got a dream duet when his musical theatre idol called him on to stage to sing with him.

Blair Cunningham, 16, was part of the young cast of the 10th anniversary Movies to Musicals show at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow, when he was called by West End royalty John Owen-Jones.

Owen-Jones is best known for playing Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and was set to perform the show’s iconic “Bring Him Home” when he called Blair to join him.

The Welsh tenor told the 2,000-strong audience: “To help me sing all the difficult bits of the song, please welcome to the stage Blair Cunningham”.

Turning to Blair, he added: “Show them what you can do.”

The duet proved a huge hit with the audience and online with video clips already viewed more than 20,000 times around the world.

Blair, who previously played the role of Jean Valjean in a Movies to Musicals school production of Les Mis, said: “For the longest time I have looked up to John.

“He’s been my idol since I got into musical theatre and singing with him is an achievement I’ll never forget.

“It was so special and something I’ll always look back on with fond memories.

“You never know what your idols will be like in real life but he was the nicest guy – singing with him could be once in a lifetime.”

The youngster impressed the West End

superstar, who said: “I have been blown away by the level of talent emerging from Scotland, and I have no doubt that these young artists are destined for bigger things.

“Performing Bring Him Home with Blair was a particular highlight for me and, judging by their response, a highlight for the audience too.

“I can’t wait to see what these incredible performers achieve in the future, especially Blair.”

Producer of the Music to Musical shows Ross Gunning said: “John Owen-Jones is one of the biggest names in the industry and has played Jean Valjean numerous times in the West End and on Broadway.

“I told Blair in advance to give him a chance to prepare, and he was taken aback as it was really his dream come true.

“Nobody else knew what was going to happen so it was an amazing moment. The whole venue erupted.”

The Armadillo building in Glasgow.