Pupil lands role as Michael Jackson in Motown: The Musical
A student from a Black Country academy is starring in a hit West End show as it embarks on a UK-wide tour.
Kieran Edwards, a Year 8 student at the Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Tividale, is starring as legendary pop star Michael Jackson in Motown: The Musical.
Twelve-year-old Kieran, from Tividale, will bring the young Michael Jackson and his early pop career to life in the hit show, as it tours the UK visiting 11 cities and performing at theatres, including Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre.
The musical follows the career of Berry Gordy and the creation of his musical empire, Motown Records. Kicking off in 1983, the evening of the 25th anniversary celebration of Motown, the story looks back on Gordy’s career and his dreams to bring a divided country together with music.
Based on his autobiography, To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories – the show charts Gordy’s signing of some of the most ground-breaking American artists including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, as well as Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5.
If features 50 class Motown hits including “My Girl”, “What’s Going On” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”.
Kieran said: “I was so excited to find out that I had been selected for the part, I couldn’t really believe it when I found out. Everyone at school has been really supportive and excited for me.
“Michael Jackson is such an icon, it will be so fun to play him in the early stages of his career. I can’t wait to head out on tour and start performing.”
Marie McMahon, executive principal at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, added: “We are delighted to have a star like Kieran as one of our students.
“I am sure he will excel in the role and I am immensely proud of everything he has achieved so far and wish him the best of luck.”
Motown: The Musical opened at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre on Thursday and will run until November 3.
The tour will later visit Leeds, Edinburgh, Bristol, Dublin, Manchester, Cardiff, Nottingham, Newcastle, Blackpool and Southampton, before finishing its run in Canterbury next September.
