George Denson performs as the Artful Dodger

George Denson as the artful dodger

George Denson, 12, from Rochdale, hit the stage as The Artful Dodger during Oliver at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool over the weekend of 11-13 November.

The Artful Dodger is George’s largest role to date, and the Epstein the largest venue he has performed on stage at.

He discovered the open auditions in April and went on to land the role, beating more than 400 children aged between seven and eighteen in the process.

George is a member of North Stars Academy in Shaw, and he dreams of performing in the West End in the future because of his love of musical theatre. He has been acting since he was eight-years-old and sings at a grade five (the highest is grade eight).

His mum, Caroline Denson, said: “George loves the stage; he has no fear when he’s up there, he says he feels free.

“He felt so proud; he had the best experience of his life, performing with such talented young actors and meeting wonderful people in Liverpool.”