Capital day for Matthew (From Penarth Times)

Capital day for Matthew

A YOUNG member of Penarth Stage-coach Theatre Arts stole the show last weekend, when he headed a star-studded musical and theatrical gala.

Matthew Bartlett opened the National Youth Music Theatre's Charity Gala at the Piccadilly Theatre, Lon-don, with a solo.

Matthew, 9, who attends All Saints Church in Wales Primary School in Barry, was performing the prestigious annual Stagecoach Easy Stages Production, in London in August, when he was asked to sing at the event.

This was Matthew's biggest accomplishment since he started performing at the age of four. His mum Judy claims she was more nervous than he was.

"Matthew is a natural performer," she said. "And we were so proud of him when he was standing up there singing. But also very nervous at the same time!"

This was not Matthew's first time in the limelight - he has had small roles in the TV hospital dramas Casualty and Doctors.