Am dram star is 12-year-old Royal School pupil Freya Poulton of Wolverhampton
Our am dram star this week is 12-year-old Royal School pupil Freya Poulton, a girl who I have seen grow up in the amateur theatre world. Her mum and dad, Tami and Andy, are both am dram performers and so it was only natural that Freya should follow in their footsteps, but I don’t think any of us were expecting such talent at such a tender age.
I ask Freya about her illustrious stage career so far and received a typically mature answer.
“My strongest discipline is singing,” she says. “Although I thoroughly enjoy acting and dancing too.”
“Wicked is a musical that changed my life as this was the first musical show I saw in London at the age of six and I fell in love with it instantly. Idina Menzel, the original star of Wicked, is my theatrical idol. I love how versatile she is.”
Wicked is quite a show for a six-year-old to see, but knowing Freya, should not be at all phased by flying witches, green smoke and curious animals.
At the age of nine Freya played the role of young matchmaker Susan Waverly in my home company’s production of White Christmas at the Grand Theatre, sharing the role with another super talented young lady, Abby Hathaway.
Even at such a young age, it was obvious that Freya was busting with personality and enthusiasm for the theatre. I remember her auditioning for the role, singing Let Me Sing and I’m Happy, complete with a feather boa and no inhibitions. She was fabulous.
While the role of Susan was made for Freya, her favourite role she has played so far is Molly, the youngest orphan in Annie the musical. Freya has played this character twice. I saw her perform it with Bilston Operatic Company when she was just seven years old and she almost stole the show.
I ask Freya why she enjoyed the part of Molly so much.
“Because it is the most fun I have ever had rehearsing for a show,” she says. It’s a simple as that. Young performers just want to have fun.
Having recently been to see Matlida at the Birmingham Hippodrome, I think that is a role which would also suit Freya, although believe it or not, she might just be a little too old for it now. She is probably entering that in between age where she is too old to play children but not quite old enough to play a teenager. But that won’t phase Freya. She has already identified her next big role.
“I would like to change places with Reese Witherspoon,” she says, “as she has inspired me that anything is possible if you follow your dreams.
You follow that dream Freya.
