Rising star 'living dream' in Hamilton UK tour
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3 days ago

Jonny Humphries

BBC News, Manchester



Marley Fenton said he caught the acting bug during classes in Manchester as a teenager

A rising stage star has told of his journey from a local acting group's performance of Shrek the Musical to landing the lead role in Hamilton's UK tour.

Marley Fenton, 23, stars as Alexander Hamilton in the story of the founding fathers of the United States, which has landed a flurry of awards.

Fenton, of Salford, said he never dreamed such a huge role would fall so early in his career, which started when his mother took him to acting classes as a 13-year-old.

He told  he was enjoying every minute  which comes to the Liverpool Empire from 6 May.

He said he had always been interested in dancing and singing, but it was during his early classes when he really caught the acting bug.

"The first time I went honestly I had the best time and it was more than I could ever have imagined," he said.

"I was just buzzing to go back every week."



Marley Fenton said he had been interested in dancing and singing since he was a child

At the end of the year the group performed in Shrek the Musical and he said he was "hooked".

From there he studied musical theatre at Pendleton Sixth Form College in Manchester, and took part in classic shows including Phantom of the Opera and Guys and Dolls.

"That's when I really knew that's what I wanted to do," he said.

"It's where I was properly able to hone in on my craft and really understand what it is and what I needed to do to go and achieve."

Fenton was able to land a place in the prestigious ArtsEd drama school in London, where he acquired an agent and eventually landed the high-profile role he is performing now.

He said: "As soon as I heard what Hamilton was, I listened to the soundtrack and things like that.

"It's always been like in my dreams, but I definitely didn't know it was going to come so soon."

The role presented technical challenges, with the musical numbers also involving rapping, while the story progresses from depicting a 19-year-old Hamilton to a 47-year-old.

Fenton said he really had to focus on his craft and "pull out all the stops" to make the transition seem convincing.

After a few other northern shows in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the tour heads to venues down south from 18 March.

However, Fenton said he would be trying to keep as much of the spirit of Salford in his performances as possible.

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