West End for St Albans schoolboy Jake

SCHOOLBOY Jake Noble is on cloud nine after landing a part in a top West End show. Jake, eight, who lives in St Albans and is a pupil of Maple primary school, has won a part in the multi award-winning and critically-acclaimed play Jerusalem at the Apollo

SCHOOLBOY Jake Noble is on cloud nine after landing a part in a top West End show.

Jake, eight, who lives in St Albans and is a pupil of Maple primary school, has won a part in the multi award-winning and critically-acclaimed play Jerusalem at the Apollo Theatre.

He has been attending Top Hat's Saturday school at St Albans Girls School for over a year and won the role after joining its acting agency Top Talent Agency.

Jerusalem, by Jez Butterworth, received glowing reviews when it opened at the Royal Court in July and when it transferred to the West End, Jake was picked for the role of Lewis Coppen beating off competition from hundreds of professional child actors from all over the UK.

The play, which stars Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook, is scheduled to run until the end of April 2010.

Warren Bacci, principal of Top Hat Stage School, said: "I am so proud of Jake. He was always very talented at Top Hat and was often cast as lead roles. Most evenings in fact, the show is watched by many famous faces. Just last week Daniel Radcliffe came to meet Jake."

Jake's mum Rachel added: "We are so happy for Jake. He really loves being in the show and when he told me that Harry Potter came backstage to congratulate him, I was very excited for him."

l Top Talent Agency, of which Warren is director, is holding auditions at St Albans Girls School on Sunday. To take part register online at www.toptalentagency.co.uk where more details can be found.