Exeter Director's Lad plays title role in Aladdin

The title role in Exeter’s own professional pantomime Aladdin, running at Exeter Corn Exchange until 6th January, is taken by sixteen year old Will Trafford in his first professional stage outing.

Given that his father is the writer, producer and director of the show you might say it was inevitable that Will would get a starring role, but there's no denying Will's pedigree, and he had to prove himself before getting the part.

Writing in the Express & Echo, reviewer Anita Merritt said of Will’s performance: “He dazzled during his dance scenes and looks destined for a long and successful career on the stage,” so it looks like Ian’s faith in his son has been more than justified.

Will says: “I’ve been immersed in the world of the stage and performance all my life. The business is all-consuming for my family.”

Ian runs the Stage By Stage performing arts school in Bartholomew Street West in Exeter, which is coming up for its 20th anniversary next year. His production company, Kickline, has been in existence even longer, and has tours of Godspell, Twinkle Little Star starring Douglas Mounce and Educating Rita to its credit.

Will’s mum, Tanya, trained at the Hammond School and is the choreographer for Aladdin. She has also won international championships for choreographing gymnastics floor routines.
Ian notes that one of Will’s earliest experiences in the theatre was seeing The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in London’s West End.

“He stroked the elephant!” laughs Ian.

He continues: “Will started ballet classes aged two and a half. He took a lead role in Seussical at Her Majesty’s Theatre when he was eight, and that’s when we realised he really had the potential for a career.

“But he’s always been free to choose whatever made him happy, and we’d have been delighted if he decided to be a surgeon because it would be nice to have someone in the family with some money!”

At such a young age, Will is very grounded about his career prospects. He already has A Levels, completed a year early, and is completing his training as a dance teacher and gym coach which, as he says, “may come in handy in the future.”

It’s Will’s ambition to be a “triple threat” singer/dancer/actor like the original star of The Phantom of the Opera in the West End, Michael Crawford, but for the foreseeable future he plans to continue his training in London next year, and hopes to come home next Christmas to appear alongside Steve Bennett in Cinderella at Exeter Corn Exchange, produced once again by Kickline.

Aladdin runs at Exeter Corn Exchange until 6th January. Tickets are available on 01392 665938 or visit www.exeter.gov.uk/cornexchange