Neil takes to the road as a singing, dancing Romeo (From Basildon Recorder)
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Neil takes to the road as a singing, dancing Romeo
9:00pm Thursday 23rd April 2009 in Features
Neil Toon has already appeared in Les Miserables and Hairspray
A SOUTHEND actor is set to light up theatres in the Middle East, after landing a lead role in Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers.
Neil Toon, 24, who went to Shoeburyness High School, will play Romeo in Shakespeare 4 Kidz’ version of Romeo and Juliet.
He has already made a mark on stage after being cast in the West End roles of Marius in Les Miserables and Link Larkin in Hairspray.
Neil moves into the part after appearing in New Boy, in London’s Trafalgar Studios, and the title role in his first pantomime, Aladdin, last Christmas.
The international tour starts on Monday and visits Dubai, Damascus, Sharjah, Bahrain and Gibraltar.
“I was hoping to get away on holiday this summer but it seemed doubtful because of the credit crunch,” says the tenor, who was born in Southend.
“I’m very lucky, as now I’m going to beautiful places with beautiful sunshine, doing what I love and getting paid for it.”
“Romeo and Juliet is the chance to do something new.”
The Shakespeare 4 Kidz musical production tells the famous story in a combination of original text, modern language, songs and dance, to make the show easier for youngsters to understand and enjoy.
