YOUNG West End musical theatre star, Tomi Fry from Swindon, is all set to hone his talents in straight acting, by signing up for a workshop on Shakespeare.

In 2014, when Tomi was just 11-years-old, he took the role of Michael in the Victoria Palace Theatre, West End production of Billy Elliot.

He has been sharing the role of Billy's friend, with another young thespian, Todd Bell, and now they are both attending the Bringing Shakespeare To Life workshop.

Anna Friend director of Quirky Bird Theatre Company, based in Royal Wootton Bassett, is running the workshop on Wednesday, April 6.

"I can't wait to take them from Billy to The Bard,'' she said.

Tomi joined Stagecoach Theatre Arts School, based in Ocotal Way, Swindon, when he was seven and went on to star with John Hannah and Rupert Everett in the TV show The Other Wife.

The Abbey Meads school pupil first met Anna through Stagecoach and is now prepping to go to Tring Theatre School.

"I told him about the Shakespeare workshop and he contacted Todd from Cumbria and another young actor, Ollie Jochim from Surrey, who played the title role in Billy Elliot. All three of them have signed up. They may be little stars but musical theatre is very different to the Bard,'' said Anna.

The three youngsters will be joining a class of around 30 aspiring actors from 10 am at the Methodist Church in the High Street.

The event is one of a series of adjudicated events in music and drama that makes up the Royal Wootton Bassett Arts Festival.

"Organiser John Davis wanted to boost speech and drama this year and include the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death,'' said Anna. "I have done a huge amount with Shakespeare and Quirky Bird Theatre is keen to make arts available to everyone, so we are working in association with the festival.''

The director has a gruelling schedule this spring as she has just completed work on the Wroughton Passion Play, a logistical nightmare to direct with a cast of hundreds and roving locations, that attracted the attention of Points West TV.

Quirky Bird Theatre is currently working on a gritty drama, Tusk Tusk, written by Polly Stenham, that they will perform at the Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival in Swindon.

Anna is also about to launch her new company, Quirky Bird Young Company.

"It is not for musical theatre training, Swindon has a wealth of those, it is for those aged seven to 16 years old who want to prepare for auditions and study play texts,'' said Anna.

There are only six places left on Bringing Shakespeare to Life workshop. For more details visit www.quirkybirdtheatre.com - Flicky Harrison