A BOY from Nettlebed said he “loved every second” of his time on stage with Jason Donovan in his professional theatrical debut.

Joshua Hogan, eight, played the former Neighbours star’s son in the hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

The youngster, who attends Henley Children’s Theatre Company at the Kenton Theatre, played Benji for for four nights at Oxford New Theatre in front of 1,800 people.

Donovan played Tick, one of two drag queens who accompany a transsexual on a journey across the Australian Outback on a tour bus nicknamed Priscilla.

Joshua, a pupil at Moulsford Preparatory School, said: “It went great, it was really exciting and I loved every second.


“When we did a duet, nearly every time he said ‘well done’ to me afterwards. He was very easy going.”

Joshua, who performed as half of a two-headed giant in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Jenton in January, said his first taste of professional theatre has whetted his appetite for more opportunities on stage.

“I want to be an actor even more now,” he said.

“My favourite part was probably in the final scene when I was dressed as a kangaroo. I had to jump around in the suit and sing and the whole cast was on stage.”

As part of the role, Joshua had to perfect an Australian accent in less than a month. He said: “It was pretty hard to do but was fine in the end.”

The musical is still touring but as Joshua’s role was shared, a different actor is now performing in other parts of the country.

Joshua said: “I was sad that is was over but I’m looking forward to the next opportunity.”

He reached the second stage of the interview process for the role of Dill in a production of To Kill A Mockingbird at Regents Park open-air theatre but missed out on the part.

His mother Nicola said she was “very proud” of her son after watching all his performances in Oxford.

She said: “He absolutely adored it and clearly wanted to carry on in the role.

It was lovely to see him up there and he really held his own. He sang beautifully and acted very naturally. None of his acting looked forced at all and he looked natural on stage.”

More than 50 of Josh’s friends and family turned out to see his performance and brought cards and sweets backstage for him afterwards.

Mrs Hogan, whose four-year-old daughter Darcey is also an aspiring actress, said: “I think he was overwhelmed and it really rallied him. The support was immense.”

PUBLISHED 11/03/13