Last updated 20:42, Thursday, 17 July 2008

TEENAGE actor Clark Wilkinson has landed his first professional role.

PANTO PROFESSIONAL: Clark Wilkinson, who recently played the lead role in StagedRight Youth Theatre’s production of Scrooge - The Musical, has secured his first professional role

Clark, 17, of Brook Street, Flimby, is thrilled to have been offered a part in Jack and the Beanstalk at Carlisle’s Sands Centre at Christmas.

He will play Tyke, assistant to wicked Doctor Evilstein, who is being played by Seaton actor Billy Walker.

Panto director David McNeill said: “The role calls for him to be a bit of a thorn in Evilstein’s side and to finish off his sentences - much to his annoyance.

“I guess he is a baddie with a heart!”

Clark is no stranger to the stage at The Sands, having recently played the lead role in Scrooge – The Musical, with the StagedRight Youth Theatre.

The sixth former from Maryport’s Netherhall School is studying performing arts, music and media at A-level and his ambition is to be an actor.

Two years ago he did his work experience in the West End with his uncle, Mark Wilkinson, who was company manager for Bill Kenwright’s production of Whistle Down the Wind, and he has recently been to see the West End production of Evita, which Mark is managing.

Clark has appeared on the amateur stage with the Maryport Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society since 1995 and this year had a part in the group’s production of Barnum, in which he had to ride a unicycle - a skill he learned when he appeared in StagedRight’s production of the show at The Sands Centre in 2005.