If the number of young actors treading the boards is anything to go by, Newcastle's theatre industry is in good hands.
Take The Very Popular Theatre Company's production, Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical, for example. Sharing the role of Jane Banks are 11-year-old Hunter Drama students Neave Paine and Sienna Collins.
Neave has been with Hunter Drama since 2021 and her theatrical credits include School Of Rock: The Musical (Hunter Drama), The Jungle Book (Hunter Drama), Superstars (Very Pop), Kid Frankenstein (Hunter Drama), Finding Nemo Jr (Hunter Drama), Madagascar Jr (Hunter School of the Performing Arts) and Starstruck 2023 and 2024.
Sienna joined Hunter Drama this year and has appeared in School Of Rock: The Musical (Hunter Drama), Billy Elliot (Very Pop), Superstars (Very Pop) and Starstruck.
Neave says she was ecstatic when she found out she had been chosen for the role of Jane. She did not expect to get a look in, and thought the experience of auditioning alone would be "amazing".
Sienna shares Neave's excitement.
"I couldn't really believe it when I got the role. I was a little nervous," she said.
"I have learnt good tips and tricks on learning lines from some of the cast, and know to enjoy it all even when it's hard work.
"The rehearsals have been really fun. I love working with the whole cast and enjoy learning from the adults."
Sharing the role of Michael Banks are Reilly Mitchison, 11, and Elliot Williams, 12. Both boys have been with Hunter Drama since 2022.
Reilly's theatrical credits include School Of Rock: The Musical (Hunter Drama), Finding Nemo Jr (Hunter Drama), The Jungle Book (Hunter Drama) and Superstars (Very Pop).
Elliot's theatrical credits include The Jungle Book (Hunter Drama) and Finding Nemo Jr (Hunter Drama).
The boys are not only excited about the opportunity Mary Poppins presents, but appreciative of the opportunity to work with adult professionals.
"Some of the best parts are walking into my rehearsals and being met by all the kind and supportive cast and crew," Reilly said.
"Of course I am tired after each rehearsal but I walk out of the studio knowing that I've done a good job."
Elliot agrees that the rehearsal process has been fun, but challenging.
"Picking up the choreography and blocking has been the hardest part for me," he said.
"I have loved meeting new people and learning from the other performers. It's been a great learning experience for me.
"It has helped me get better at singing, dancing and acting through rehearsing scenes, blocking, learning my lines and singing."
Joining Neave, Sienna, Reilly and Elliot on stage are fellow Hunter Drama students Joel Evans, Chloe Hilkemeijer, Sophie Schofield and Wade Neilsen, who have all been cast in the ensemble along with Hunter Drama tutors Brooke Lidbury and Imogen Downing-Donnelly.
"I have learnt so much from my cast mates and directors about good work ethics, and connecting to the character I'm playing," Sophie said.
"I play multiple characters in the show, and we have been working hard to make sure each character is unique and different from the last. This is something I feel has helped me heaps as a story teller."
Added Wade: "I would absolutely love to be a professional performer - that's a big dream of mine that I've had for a long time, so to be able to do that would be a dream come true."
Read more: Daniel Stoddart bets big on Mary Poppins and the future of live theatre
