Ilkeston family set to star in major Drayton Manor TV…

Ilkeston family set to star in major Drayton Manor TV theme park advert

A Nottingham family looks set for stardom with not one but three actors starring in a series of roles across TV and theatre. Mila, nine, Olympia, five, and now their brother Kobi Fowkes, aged seven months old, are all featured in new projects set to be released in the next few months.

Olympia is set to star in the smash-hit musical production, Waitress, when it hits Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall from Monday, July 18, until Saturday, July 23. She beat hundreds of other girls for the part of Lulu, which she will share with another girl the same age as it features a few late nights.

The entire family is due to feature in a new advert for Drayton Manor Theme Park which is out soon. The two girls have already started featuring in promotional videos and photos across the park's social media. Kobi has followed his sisters into modelling after appearing in a NEXT photoshoot. He is now being booked for more shoots which can be difficult in such a competitive industry.

The children's mother, Mandy Ryan, from Ilkeston, said: "The children got into acting during the lockdown. I was looking at children's modelling groups and applied to different agencies for the two girls. They got accepted by the agency who sent them to different jobs and auditions which is how it all got started."

Kobi aged 7 months is following his sisters into modelling (Mandy Ryan)

Mila started out in a student film as a ballerina filmed in Wales. She also starred in a short horror film alongside another actress who played her mother. All three children have also appeared in a separate, unrelated promotional advert as a family in March.

"Mila really enjoyed it and the film she did is currently being entered into festivals. Then I found a TV commercial job for them together for Drayton Manor and they are in the photography for the hotels as well. We are just waiting for the adverts to come on," Mandy explained.

"They recorded them going on the rides and Mila was tall enough for the rapids so she got to go on those. They got to walk around the park holding hands. It was a really nice day out for the whole family."

Despite the thrill and nervousness of lights, camera, and action, the girls aren't nervous about appearing on stage. They have been busy learning lines and getting ready for opening night.

Mandy said: "Olympia doesn't seem phased by the whole thing and she knows her lines already. She loves what she is doing and is really excited to be on stage.

"As a baby, she was in a Virgin Active video and it was through her older sister who was doing drama classes. We didn't really chase it or pursue it until we were in lockdown so her first real job was the Drayton Manor advert. She has also done some modelling last week for Smith's Dressing Up costumes which should be out around Christmas time. Then she landed this role on the stage which is very exciting."

Mila aged 9 and her younger sister Olympia aged 5 (Mandy Ryan)

Despite the rehearsals and costume fittings, it hasn't interfered with the children's school work. Mila has dreams of pursuing a career in TV or in the film industry when she is older. She would also love to be in soaps as well.

Mandy said: "Mila, the older, definitely wants to be on the television or in cinemas. She's had no formal training but she's brilliant. Hopefully, the film will get some recognition at the film festivals and she can get something a bit bigger. She wants to be in soaps and things like that - anything."