Talented local singer appears alongside west end stars at SEC Armadillo

A TALENTED performer from Inverclyde appeared alongside west end stars as part of a special showcase celebrating a Scottish theatre company’s 10th anniversary.

Jonathan Dobie took to the stage at the SEC Armadillo alongside other singers and dancers to celebrate a decade since the creation of musical theatre group Movies to Musicals.

The local 20-year-old had previously performed in the group’s production of Les Miserables, as well as touring with them.

He told the Telegraph he had been thrilled when the company asked him to take part in their anniversary show, which starred well-known west end actors John Owen-Jones and Kerry Ellis.

Jonathan said: “We had a sold-out audience of about 3,000 people, which was the largest group I’ve ever performed in front of.

“John Owen-Jones and Kerry Ellis are two people I really look up to, I’ve admired them since I first started musical theatre.

“I never thought I would be performing with them on one of the biggest stages in Scotland.

“I did a number with Kerry Ellis, we were dancing and she was singing, and hearing the applause and the cheers afterwards was something I never thought would happen.

“I can’t believe this is something I’m getting to do at such a young age.

“We had a rehearsal the day before, which was actually my birthday.

“Getting to meet them all on my birthday was the best present ever. “

Jonathan described meeting and performing alongside the duo as a ‘dream come true’.

He added: “Sometimes when you’re going to meet these stars you worry they might be a bit stuck up but they were honestly the loveliest people I’ve ever met.

“You learn a lot from watching them about how they portray certain roles and songs, it’s good to see their output and their understanding of stagecraft.

“Watching them effortlessly sing very tricky parts, it’s crazy to think the places they’ve done that.”

Despite his young age, Jonathan’s career has already seen him travel to New York’s world-famous Carnegie Hall to take part in a special choral performance.

The former Clydeview Academy pupil currently studies music at Glasgow Clyde College and has come through the ranks at Inverclyde’s various school choirs and orchestras.

Jonathan has also secured a place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff where he hopes to further his career.