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'Our Sean' in Our Benny
Sean Shanahan's sensational smile is his secret to success at audition says the aspiring young Rufford actor.
The Merchant Taylors' Boys' School pupil is currently appearing in the Victorian Scouse tearjerker ‘Our Benny' at the Empire as the child gang leader Spider.
One of only six main child parts, who alternate on successive nights, Sean modestly says he won the part against over 1000 hopefuls not because of his impressive acting range, though that clearly helps, but because, "I just keep smiling at the Director; it always seems to work." Sean, 12, first started acting at the age of just six-years-old and under local drama teacher Alison Coates and so impressed judges last year that he was asked to perform at Southport Festival in front of the Mayor. He has, however, yet to act in any of the Merchant Taylors' productions and is looking forward to the challenge.
"I'm a bit young yet for the school productions, as they obviously want to give the older boys and girls their opportunity, but I am looking forward to the chance later on in my school life." Sean says he would love to follow in the footsteps of other Merchants' actors, such as Southport film star Samuel Roukin and added: "I'd love to become an actor. It's all that I have ever wanted to do and I cannot imagine doing anything else."
