TONIGHT'S opening night of Blood Brothers is a dream come true for local lad Phillip Maggs.
The 22-year-old from Sholing has wanted to appear in a musical since he was a child and now he is treading the boards in one of the biggest musicals around in his home town.
He got the role of Perkins in the touring production of the show following a stint at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End, performing alongside Eric Sykes and Russ Abbot.
"I've always wanted to act," said Phillip, who trained at Eastleigh College before heading to the Hertfordshire Theatre School.
"I've been acting, singing and dancing all my life. I always knew that I wanted to be in the West End and in a professional musical and I count myself so lucky that I've done both already.
"Coming to The Mayflower is very significant for me. I saw Blood Brothers at The Mayflower in 1996 and just as it finished my mum said: 'You'll be in that one day'. Now I am."
And there's another reason why Phillip is happy about his stint on stage in his home town.
"I get two weeks at home with my mum's home-cooked dinners. I haven't seen her for ages after being on the road."
Blood Brothers is at The Mayflower until December 14. Tickets are priced from £17.50. Call the box office on 023 8071 1811.
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