This year, Daisy Winbolt-Robertson was part of the Ensemble in FAME for NYMT at Birmingham Hippodrome, with the show directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, and she played Éponine in Powerhouse Theatre’s production of Les Misérables. Daisy is currently training at CAPA College and is in her final year, and she played Franz in their production of The Producers, with her training including Stagebox Elite Team, York Stage School, SK Fusion and York Dance Company, Jodie Steele Associates, and she has worked with a number of vocal coaches including Amelia Carr. In November 2024, Daisy performed For Good from Wicked with Kerry Ellis on her Queen of the West End tour date in Scarborough, and she reached the final of West End Calling, and performed at the Arts Theatre in the West End. Whilst continuing training in musical theatre and auditioning for drama schools near London, Daisy can often be seen busking around York. Daisy answered our questions about being in the Ensemble of FAME for NYMT at Birmingham Hippodrome, playing Éponine in a production of Les Misérables, performing with Kerry Ellis and reaching the final of West End Calling in 2024.

How was it being part of the Ensemble of FAME at Birmingham Hippodrome with NYMT in August and being directed by Jonathan O’Boyle?

This was the most professional experience I have had yet in my training. It was challenging because I don’t see myself as a dancer first and the standard was very high. Being part of the Ensemble and working with Jonathan O’Boyle was such an amazing experience. Jonathan directed us to create an ensemble character and from there we did exercises to embody that character and refine who the character is. I loved every minute of being part of this incredibly talented cast and working with detailed and professional creatives.

What do you feel you learnt from working on FAME and joining one of NYMT’s productions?

Working on FAME and with the cast of NYMT, I learnt how important it is to be connected with your cast members as you are with each other 24/7 and the rehearsal period is intense with little personal space. I learned to trust and build friendships much quicker than I have historically. The experience is really rewarding, not only with a professional standard production, but making friends for life and having the chance to be independent and rely on friends not family.

In July, you played Éponine in the Powerhouse Theatre production of Les Misérables, what was it like taking on the character and performing in the musical?

Éponine was a beautiful part to play and I connect with this character as she puts other people’s needs first. I loved exploring how she would process her journey emotionally and I didn’t want to replicate another actor’s performance. Powerhouse Theatre bravely created a version of Les Mis set in the present day. The creative team were also very professional and generously gave superb feedback to every cast member during rehearsals and the first few shows.

You were also in the cast of The Producers at CAPA College, playing the role of Franz, how was this?

In The Producers, I played the character Franz who is typically a male neo-Nazi and, at first, I was a bit scared to play this part as I do not stand with racism, and the Nazi movement makes me feel sick. But this show is written by Mel Brooks, who is Jewish, and it is a show that makes fun of Hitler. I shared this part with two other CAPA College students and I ended up loving playing this part as my characterisation was eccentric and made everyone laugh. We were directed by the wonderful Sarah Tipple, who allowed creativity for all of us in our character choices.

Can you tell us about your training and about some of the other shows you’ve performed in?

I started my musical theatre training with Stagebox Elite Team and Management until I got the role of Blousey Brown in York Stage Productions’ Bugsy Malone. Sadly, lockdown hit just before show week. I trained with York Stage School and learned lots of great acting tips and did LAMDA exams. My teacher Jo Theaker is my rock with acting and performance techniques. I joined Jodie Steele Associates elite team and she has taught me privately since I was aged 13. I am lucky to have worked with other vocal coaches Kasia Howley, Kate Lohan, Emma-Gina King and Amelia Carr.

I loved performing as Campbell ‘like the soup’ in Bring It On! Such fab songs and acting moments for this character. I also played Liesl in The Sound of Music – a very contrasting character to Campbell.

Dance Expression in Malton got me through my vocational dance exams and I am very grateful. SK Fusion and York Dance Company are my dance home run by the lovely Sibylle Kockjeu.

How did you find the experience performing For Good from Wicked with Kerry Ellis at her Queen of the West End tour date at Scarborough Spa in November last year?

Singing with Kerry Ellis was nerve-racking because we had no rehearsal and she asked me out of the audience. What a privilege to sing with a such a legend. Kerry, like Jodie Steele, is wonderfully kind and generous with her time to developing performers.

What was it like being a competitor in West End Calling 2024 and how did you feel finding out you’d reached the final?

West End Calling is a really well-run competition that is friendly rather than competitive. I sang in the Final in front of judges Freddie King, Emma Kingston (who is now Elphaba – wow), Lauren Drew and Jodie Steele. I was more nervous performing in front of Jodie as she is my teacher and did not want to be told off for holding tension! Only kidding, she is lovely.

How was it performing in the final at the Arts Theatre in the West End and how did you prepare for your performance?

It was nerve-racking but felt like a huge achievement with all the hard work I have put in. At the end of the day, there are roles I have successfully auditioned for and the shows have not happened so you take your small wins when you can. Performing in the Arts Theatre was amazing! I prepare for all performances and auditions with lots of practice and research, you can’t over prepare.

You also busk in York, what do you enjoy about busking and was there anything that encouraged you to start?

I started busking to help my dance school at the time get to the Dance World Cup. This was when I was 14 and I just kept going because I love singing, the reception in York is supportive and I use the money to save for NYMT or drama school fees.

Do you have any favourite songs to perform live and how do you choose which songs to perform whilst busking?

My favourite songs to perform are Lost Without You because it reminds me of my beautiful friend who passed aged 13, and this reminds me everytime I sing it. A Million Dreams because of the kids’ faces when I sing it and it lifts the energy in a crowd, especially at Christmas.

I choose the songs I sing based on what is well-received. So, if there are lots of kids, I sing lots of Disney, or more adults, I sing songs like Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know that are well-known hits. Sometimes I sing musical theatre if there is the right audience and I think the first time I sang On My Own was when I was busking.

Where does your love of performing come from and how did you get into it?

I was always an energetic crazy kid so my mum got me into dance before the age of two. I went to a Steiner School for kindergarten that was all about creativity and self-expression. My love of creating and telling stories started here.

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

My favourite show that I have ever seen is Next to Normal because it feels so real and Tom Kitt is a genius to create powerfully dynamic music that does not take away from the serious subject of mental health and loss. Another favourite show is Waitress, and Jenna is my dream role. I am excited to see Lucie Jones in 13 Going on 30 this month, and I would love to see The Great Gatsby if it stays longer in the West End.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I split my time, if I’m not in the gym, with college friends or my best friend from secondary school. A lot of time is spent training. I have a big family and my beautiful dog Winnie, who I love to spend time with. I would love to learn the guitar as I always get asked when I’m busking if I have any original music.

What do you enjoy most about being involved with performing arts?

I love the people I meet along the way! I love the challenge of connecting to a new character and learning new dances, songs and there is always something to improve.

What are you hoping the next year brings for you?

Next year is all about drama school auditions and I really want to move to the London area. There are a few shows I want to audition for locally! But let’s see what is meant to be.

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