Whilst a student at Tring Park School for Performing Arts, Haydn Court filmed for the CBBC documentary series Stage Stars, and alongside his fellow Tring Park students Lucas Haywood and Sofia Poston, he appeared on Saturday Mash-Up!, and Series 2 of Stage Stars premiered on 5th October this year. For Sam Picariello’s short film Good Ones, Haydn played Ollie opposite Lucas Haywood as Charlie and Marley Quinlan-Gardner as Mel, and the short film marked Haydn’s first time on a film set. On stage, Haydn starred as Charlie Bucket in the 2023 UK & Ireland Tour of the new revival of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and for the 2022/23 UK premiere of NEWSIES at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, Haydn played Les. Previously, Haydn originated the role of Paul Rawlins in the world premiere of Bedknobs and Broomsticks the Musical for his first tour and he made his professional and West End debut as Eric in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre. As well as attending Tring Park School for Performing Arts, Haydn is a student at Stagebox, who also represent him as an actor. We talked to Haydn about being part of the CBBC documentary series Stage Stars, filming as Ollie in short film Good Ones, starring as Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and his time in the UK premiere of NEWSIES.

How was it having cameras go into Tring Park School for the Performing Arts to film for CBBC’s documentary series Stage Stars, and how did you find the experience being part of the show?

It was so surreal having cameras at school because it was such a new experience. It was so much fun because everyone at school loves performing, and it brought a new energy into the school, which was really exciting. Being part of the show let me experience things I’d never done before, like playing myself, doing interviews and filming the magic moments. It was such a cool experience to turn up to school and be part of a TV show, and it’s something I’ll never forget.

What did you enjoy most about filming a new documentary series for CBBC, and how different did you find it to your typical acting projects?

I most enjoyed filming the magic moments because we got to work with choreographers, celebrities and industry creatives from outside of school. It was such a fun experience getting to collaborate with the team to bring the magic moments to life. It was also very different from any of my other acting jobs as I was playing myself, which made me so conscious of everything I was doing, which you don’t think about in day-to-day life, which was really strange compared to playing a character. However, I had such a great time and learnt so much from the experience.

What was it like being a guest on Saturday Mash-Up with Lucas Haywood and Sofia Poston (both also on Stage Stars) and appearing on live TV?

It was such an incredible opportunity because it was something I’d never done before but had always dreamed of doing. Getting to fly to Glasgow, film live TV and do it all with Lucas and Sofia, who are close friends from school, made it such a cool experience. I’d love to do it again someday.

Can you tell us about your performing arts training, and how is it being a student at Stagebox?

I love being part of Stagebox because it has taught me so much and shaped me into the person and performer I am today. It’s given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing industry professionals, improve my singing, acting, dancing and confidence, and be surrounded by so many talented people. I’ll always be grateful for how well Stagebox has prepared me for the industry and how it has allowed me to grow so much as a person.

Again with Lucas, you star in Sam Picariello’s short film Good Ones as Ollie, with Lucas playing Charlie and Marley Quinlan-Gardner playing Mel; how was this to film?

Filming Good Ones was such a cool experience because it was my first ever time on a film set. Finding out that Lucas and Marley, who I was friends with before the project, and I were all in it together was such a great surprise. Being on set with friends made my first experience filming so enjoyable. Also, it was such a brilliant learning experience, and I’d love to work with Sam Picariello again one day.

How was it taking on the role of Charlie Bucket in the 2023 UK & Ireland Tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and what was it like performing with the rest of the cast?

Playing Charlie Bucket was a whirlwind of an experience because it had always been one of my dream roles, so getting to actually play the part felt so surreal. I absolutely loved being part of the show, seeing all the magic backstage and performing with such an amazing cast. It’s an experience that has taught me so much as a young performer, and I have made so many memories that I will cherish forever.

How did you prepare for touring with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and what was it like working on the new revival of a well-known story?

Having toured the UK and Ireland before, doing Bedknobs & Broomsticks, really helped me because I had already experienced what it was like being away from home, so going into the tour I felt a lot more confident. I went into the show knowing that I wanted to put my own spin onto the character, so during rehearsals I experimented with different choices, which allowed me to find the version of Charlie Bucket that was real and fitting to me. Getting to be part of a new revival of such a well-known and iconic story was nerve-racking at first, but overall, it was just an amazing experience that taught me so much and is one that I will never forget.

In the 2022/23 UK premiere of NEWSIES at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, you played Les; what was it like seeing the response to the London production and what was Les like to play?

NEWSIES was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I didn’t realise how big of a fanbase NEWSIES had until I joined the show, and I will never forget the standing ovation that happened halfway through Seize the Day on opening night. Les was such a fun, cheeky and exciting character to play. Getting to work with Ryan Kopel, who played Davey, and being surrounded by the most incredibly talented cast was so inspiring and taught me so much as a person and a performer. NEWSIES was an unforgettable moment in my career that I will always look back on as one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.

What are some of your favourite memories from originating the role of Paul Rawlins in the world premiere of Bedknobs and Broomsticks the Musical and touring with a theatre show for the first time?

Playing Paul was such a surreal experience because it was a brand-new musical, which meant I got to collaborate with the creative team to help build the show and character during rehearsals. One of my favourite memories was flying on the bed for the first time, and hearing all of the original music during the sitzprobe. Touring the UK and Ireland meant I got to see so many different theatres and experience so many different audiences and how they all reacted to this new show. It’s something I am so grateful I got to experience at such a young age and will never forget.

Do you remember how you felt finding out you’d be making your professional and West End debut in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre and what was the musical like to perform in?

When I found out I was going to be making my West End debut in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, it was the day before my birthday and I was on holiday. I remember I was swimming and my mum called me out of the pool, sat me down and told me I had booked the role of Eric. I just remember bursting into tears because my dream was coming true. Ever since watching the show for the first time when I was eight years old, being in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical was one of my biggest dreams. Getting to actually perform in the show was one of the most amazing experiences, and I have made friendships for life. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical will always have a special place in my heart, and has shaped me so much as a person, in the best way possible, which I will forever be grateful for.

How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do?

I started dancing when I was five, and after booking the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, that’s when my singing and acting journey really began. Since then, I’ve continued training and realised how much I love acting, especially film and TV, because I find it so cool getting to play different characters and tell their stories, and I hope to have a career in the film industry one day.

Have you received any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you, and what advice would you give a new child actor hoping to star in musicals?

The best advice I’ve been given is to believe in yourself and trust that what’s meant for you won’t pass you by. My advice to anyone starting out is to keep learning, keep training, believe in yourself and take the risks. If it’s your dream, what have you got to lose?

Do you have any favourite theatre shows to watch, and which would you like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

My favourite shows are & Juliet and Moulin Rouge! because I love how they turn pop songs into musical theatre. However, Billy Elliot holds such a special place in my heart as I feel I really resonate with his story. A show I have shockingly not yet seen is Les Misérables, but I have heard such amazing things and really hope to go and watch it soon.

How do you like to spend your time away from performing?

Honestly, performing is such a big part of me that in my free time I still find myself dancing, singing and acting as I just love doing it all so much. However, some other things I like to do away from performing are spending time with my friends, learning how to play piano and guitar, writing songs, learning and filming dance TikToks, and going to theme parks and escape rooms. I have to say, I am very much an adrenaline junkie and love anything that gives me a thrill.

What is it like being represented by Stagebox Management?

Being represented by Stagebox Management has been so incredibly amazing throughout my career so far. They are so supportive and have given me so many opportunities. They’ve helped me book and perform in shows in the West End, work on exciting projects, gain incredible industry connections and even gain representation in America, opening up opportunities in both musical theatre and film and TV. I’ll always be grateful for everything they’ve done for me, and I can’t wait to see where my journey with them continues next.

What are you hoping the rest of the year brings for you, and do you have any projects coming up that you can share?

I’m hoping for the rest of this year to bring more opportunities, auditions and chances to learn from industry professionals. Now that I’m 16 and out of licence, I am very excited as I am now able to audition for adult contracts in professional musicals and also continue to grow my musical theatre career alongside still pursuing film and TV. Honestly, I am just really looking forward to more exciting opportunities and experiences, to grow as a performer and seeing what the future brings.