 TWO local lads are flying high after gaining parts in Christmas musical Peter Pan. Connor Doyle, of Walsall, and Thomas Goodall, of Sutton Coldfield, both aged 10, are sharing the role of Michael Darling in 77 performances at Birmingham Repertory Theatre over the next six weeks. Michael is the youngest of the Darling family who fly off to Neverland with Peter Pan to embark on a series of adventures. Taking to the stage is becoming second nature to Connor, a pupil at St Mary The Mount Roman Catholic School in Walsall, as he also took the role of Jeremy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Hippodrome Theatre along with stars Brian Conley and Gary Wilmot. "He loves acting, he has been doing it since he was four," said proud mum Sheila, aged 44. "He is really enjoying this show. He loves the flying part." Connor has done a number of television adverts and is also a member of the Young Rep Theatre Company and his mum says his sights are firmly set on stardom. "He definitely wants to be an actor," she said. "The next thing he would like is to have a part in a film but he loves theatre." Sheila, a Birmingham-based secretary, and store manager husband Scott, aged 39, are becoming regulars in the audience while Connor's classmates are also planning a visit. "We have already been three times and have tickets for a few more performances," said Sheila. "The whole family goes." For Thomas Goodall, Peter Pan is his first professional show, although he has done plenty of work with amateur companies Masquerade, Round Midnight and Raw Talent including Annie and Oliver! Mum Maxine, a 45-year-old housewife, said he is loving the experience. "He was absolutely ecstatic when he found he had got the part," she said. "This is what he wants to do and he is having a brilliant time." A pupil at Four Oaks Primary School, Thomas is packing out the audience with his teachers, friends and family - including 45-year-old dad Steve, a sales and commercial area director, and 13-year-old brother Matthew, who is a pupil at Bishop Vesey School in Sutton Coldfield. "I have seen it four times already and I have tickets for another three or four shows," admitted his mum. Catch Connor and Thomas in Peter Pan at The Rep until January 19, tickets on 0121 236 4455 or www.birmingham-rep.co.uk | 
