In Simon Farnaby’s film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree, Delilah Bennett-Cardy made her feature film debut playing Beth Thompson alongside her on-screen family Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy as Tim and Polly (parents) and Billie Gadsdon and Phoenix Laroche as Fran and Joe respectively (siblings), and she reunited with the cast for the screening event in Leicester Square in March. Delilah has recently finished her run in the world premiere of Paddington the Musical in London West End’s Savoy Theatre, having originated the role of Judy Brown, with the musical based on Michael Bond’s books, and the creative team for the musical includes Jessica Swale (book), Tom Fletcher (music and lyrics) and Luke Sheppard (director). Paddington the Musical was nominated for 15 awards at the WhatsOnStage Awards (winning 9) and 11 awards at the Olivier Awards (winning 7), and whilst in the cast, Delilah recorded the original cast album at Abbey Road Studios and performed on The Royal Variety Performance. For the workshop of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical in 2023, Delilah played Becky with Lucie Jones as Jenna, and her previous stage projects include playing Blousey in Bugsy Malone for the 2022/23 Tour – marking her first UK tour, and she had her West End debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock, playing Summer Hathaway. Recently, Delilah answered our questions about her feature film debut as lead character Beth Thompson in the Simon Farnaby adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree, originating the role of Judy Brown in Paddington the Musical at the Savoy Theatre, workshopping 13 Going on 30 – The Musical and playing Blousey in Bugsy Malone and Summer Hathaway in School of Rock.
For your feature film debut, you star as Beth Thompson in the new release of The Magic Faraway Tree; how was it being part of Simon Farnaby’s adaptation of Enid Blyton’s book series and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the role?
This was an absolutely incredible role to begin my film career with – I am so grateful. I’ve loved Simon’s writing ever since I was a kid watching Horrible Histories, so it was huge for me to be in one of his projects. I also read The Magic Faraway Tree in school when I was very young, so getting to work on this adaptation felt extremely special. I was shocked when I found out I’d booked it, but also excited to take on this story which meant so much to a younger me.
How would you describe Beth and what was she like to play?
Beth was a pleasure to play, mainly because I was able to tap into a sort of teenage frustration and intensity. I think she is misunderstood, as many teenagers are, and this frustrates her. She’s at odds a bit with her parents, and this leads to really interesting tensions, but Polly and Tim are always there for her, and she just wants their care and attention in the end, which is beautiful, I think.
Did you have any favourite scenes to film in The Magic Faraway Tree, and what are some of your stand-out memories from your time on set?
All the scenes in lands and up the tree were favourites, but the stand-out memories are definitely the improvised and spontaneous family fun – spaghetti-eating competitions and water fights… a memorable day was certainly getting soaked by Dame Washalot’s washing, though I don’t know if it would be a favourite!
What was it like meeting your on-screen family – parents Andrew Garfield (Tim) and Claire Foy (Polly), and siblings Billie Gadsdon (Fran) and Phoenix Laroche (Joe) – for the first time, and how was it filming with them and the rest of the cast?
We did have some bonding time as a family pre-shooting, playing Grandma’s Footsteps and things, but most of the fun happened on set in between takes. We really gelled as a family instantly. Andrew and Claire are so generous and supportive, and Billie and Phoenix are hilarious, so we got on pretty quickly.
How was it attending the screening event in Leicester Square in March and watching the completed film?
I was nervous! It was one of my first times seeing myself on screen, but the nerves were very quickly replaced by awe at what everyone had achieved. It was an incredible feeling.
You have just finished your run in the world premiere production of Paddington the Musical at the Savoy Theatre in the West End; how did you find the experience originating the role of Judy Brown and how did you prepare for the character?
Before the beginning of previews, I had been involved in the development of the show through workshops, read-throughs, and recording sessions for around three years, so I felt very connected to Judy and the show. Singing brings me so much joy, and Tom Fletcher’s music is such a pleasure to perform. I also had the pleasure of performing Jessica Swale’s incredible book eight shows a week. They have both given Judy so much to play with, and the emotional journey she and her mum go on is so meaningful. Originating a role in a musical has always been on my bucket list, and I cannot think of a better show to have facilitated that.
What was it like seeing the fan response to the musical and having it be nominated for 15 awards (winning 9) at the WhatsOnStage Awards and 11 awards (winning 7) at the Olivier Awards?
This show’s message that kindness is never complicated is unbelievably important always, but especially in the current climate. I am so glad that audiences have continued to appreciate this incredible production and share the love for it that the entire company has.
What have you enjoyed about starring in Paddington the Musical, and what do you feel you’ll miss most about performing with the show?
The cast and crew of Paddington are one of the most giving and nurturing groups of people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. This show contains people of all ages from all different walks of life, which made the job so enriching on stage and off. The entire company was so supportive of my school studies, my journey as an actor, and my journey as a person, and I’ll really miss that. I’ll also miss all the stage door interactions and talking to audience members about what the show means to them and how it has affected them.
Was there anything that originally drew you to the production, and how was it telling the Paddington story?
The first workshop I took part in was very confidential, and keeping the magic of the show secret for so long was a real struggle because of how incredible the material was, even with us all sat down in a circle just singing and reading from librettos. Then the staging of the show came together, and we saw the production and costume designs for the first time, and it was very clear that this show was going to be special.
The musical draws out all the timeless and human elements of Michael Bond’s books, and its emphasis on Paddington’s journey to London and finding a family in the Browns, in particular, made me want to be a part of telling the story.
Whilst in the cast, you recorded at Abbey Road Studios for the original cast recording and performed on the 2025 Royal Variety Performance, can you tell us about your further highlights from working on the world premiere?
Being in the original cast was super cool because of all these amazing and unique experiences. I would say attending the Olivier Awards with the show was a real highlight.
In 2023, you were part of the workshop of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical as Becky with Lucie Jones, what was this like to do?
I loved the film growing up, and the musical is so energetic and joyous – it brings all the best parts of the original movie onto the stage. Working with Andy Fickman was incredible, and he treated the young company with such respect, which felt very refreshing.
How was it taking on the role of Blousey in Bugsy Malone in 2022/23 and heading out on your first UK Tour?
When I was nine years old, I was part of a community production of Bugsy Malone with my local drama school Phoenix Theatre Arts, so revisiting the show in a professional capacity was so exciting. Blousey is such a gift of a role for a young performer, and having a young company full of friends to perform with makes it even more enjoyable.
What was it like making your West End debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre as Summer Hathaway, and how was it performing Summer’s song Time to Play?
School of Rock was the first long-running show I worked on, and I believe it gave me all the foundations of performing I needed as a young actor. I learnt so much as Summer and made so many lasting connections on the job. At 11 years old, I don’t think I fully understood the gravity of what I was doing, so I was pretty unfazed by all the solo singing and monologuing that Summer does, but I think that was a good thing because I was able to give a completely natural and uninhibited performance. I would love to go back to not feeling nervous!
Can you tell us about your further roles, which has seen you play Martha Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at the Dominion Theatre during the coronavirus pandemic, a Witch in Macbeth at London’s Barbican Theatre, Nora in A Little Princess at Royal Festival Hall (directed by Arlene Phillips) and Betsy Miller in the 2023 ITV mini-series Tom Jones?
These roles felt like great beginnings to different facets of the acting world. Tackling Shakespeare at such a formative stage in my career was a welcome challenge, and the smaller roles in musical theatre and television productions were great foundations.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you originally get into it?
I used to sing a lot when I was very young, just singing along to music in the house. My parents put me into dance and drama classes when I was two years old as a way to release my masses of energy, and as soon as I performed in my first dance school showcase at Graham School of Dance, I told my parents it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?
I am a huge cinephile! My favourite era of filmmaking is probably the French New Wave. I also recently saw Oh, Mary! on stage and I loved it so much – it was so clever, and I really connected to it, I thought it was brilliant.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I am currently revising non-stop for my A-levels, but outside of that I love to read and write. Immersing myself in a good book feels really freeing for me.
Have you received any advice over your time in the acting industry so far that has stuck with you?
I think it would be: when you’re in a scene, don’t demonstrate what you are feeling, just feel it. The audience are smart, they don’t need to have the emotions forced upon them, just let them feel what you feel.
What are you hoping this year brings for you, and do you have any projects coming up that you can share?
I love this industry because of its variety, so I hope this year brings a lot of challenges and stretches me outside my comfort zone in the roles I’m able to take on.
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