Farlingaye pupil recognised for role in The Little Mermaid

Samuel Earthroll, a pupil at Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge, received the Best Supporting Actor award at the National Schools Theatre Awards (NSTA), held in London, despite being hospitalised for a long time last year with the inflammatory bowel disease Crohn's.

He was recognised for his performance as Sebastian in the school's production of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Little Mermaid, while his fellow Farlingaye pupil Sam Garratt was also nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for playing Scuttle.

READ MORE: Farlingaye High School pupils in line for theatre award

Reflecting on his achievement, Samuel said: “It hasn’t really sunk in that I won yet.

"I want to follow a career in the performing arts and appear on the West End in musical theatre, so this is a reassuring sign that I could achieve that.

"My love for performing has got me through a lot of the burden of my health problems.

Samuel Earthroll with his Best Supporting Actor award (Image: Farlingaye High School) "Even when the doctor has told me I should stop because I was not well enough, I wouldn’t listen. Performing is a form of escaping from my worries, as it is for a lot of people.”

The school's headteacher Peter Smith said: “We’re absolutely thrilled by Sam’s wonderful achievement and the recognition for the whole cast, crew and staff.

READ MORE: Framlingham College pupil on receiving the NODA Award

"It was a wonderful production and we couldn’t be prouder of all involved.”

The awards were presented at the Shaw Theatre in London on Monday.

A spokesperson for the school said: "The school productions are a very important event for students every year, with year groups mixing and supporting each other.

"The confidence they instil in the students is immeasurable and they learn many skills including team work.

"The talent displayed in the productions is evident and was spotted by the scout from NSTA."

READ MORE: Woodbridge news