A KEYNSHAM family are celebrating the success of a hit stage show.
Shrek the Musical stars Antony Lawrence, whose sister and parents live in the town.
And they went along to Bristol Hippodrome recently to see the production during its UK tour.
Sister Kim said: “We continue to be really proud of Antony. When he first told me about his role as Shrek, I was particularly happy that he was in a role that my children would enjoy watching him in. To see him as the lead role is just amazing!”
She added: “We watched Shrek on Broadway when Antony and I were in New York about 14 years ago, and Antony said then that he would love to play Shrek. So it is now amazing to see him play this role.”
Kim has seen Antony in all of his roles in previous musicals.
“To name a few, I saw him in Matilda on the West End many times and in Mary Poppins at the Bristol Hippodrome. I have travelled the world watching my brother perform as Scar in the international tour of The Lion King.”
Antony had dreamt of a career in musicals from a young age.
Kim said: “After watching Phantom of the Opera in Plymouth as a child, my brother knew that was what he wanted to do.
“We went along to local amateur dramatic groups in Cornwall and then, when we moved to Plymouth, we joined Plymkids, and Antony really began to pursue his dreams.”
So it was a wonderful homecoming for Antony when he opened the Shrek show at Plymouth Theatre Royal.
Kim said: “Myself and our parents went to watch, and it was a very special moment.”
Antony’s mum and dad Jackie and Steve have lived in Keynsham for seven years, while Kim and her family moved to the town a year ago.
Although no other family members have a career in the performing arts, Kim’s daughters Tilly and Flo are keen to follow in their uncle’s footsteps and are members of theatre school Razzmatazz in Keynsham.
Pictured, Antony Lawrence with nieces Tilly and Flo when they saw him in The Lion King in Korea in 2019
Keynsham family so proud of musical star
