THE BREAK -A-LEG column knows more than most the best theatre talent can be found on its doorstep. Here, Ian Cheeseman speaks to local lad George Crawford, who has eyes on the big time after learning the ropes in the area.
AS A proud northerner, I’m bound to say the pool of theatre talent is stronger in my local area than anywhere else.
Take George Crawford for example. I became aware of him through his mother, Samantha Hughes, who I’ve seen on stage a couple of times in amateur dramatic productions of the Bridges of Madison County and Sister Act. Her performances were of a professional standard.
I present a weekly radio show, so I had the chance to meet and interview her and discovered her son is a rapidly rising professional star of the stage.
George has already appeared in the Book of Mormon and Waitress UK tours and played the alternate Jack Kelly in Newsies at the Troubadour in London’s Wembley Park

In Book of Mormon, he had the unique opportunity to be understudy to both main male parts, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham.
Most recently, he played the part of Keith in Spend, Spend, Spend, at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, the musical story of Viv Nicholson, the pools winner back in the 1960s.
There he told me, “A lot of performers start in amateur dramatics or watching theatre growing up. I was lucky enough to do both.
“I grew up being surrounded by am/drams in Hyde, Mossley, Tameside, Stockport, Huddersfield and most recently a group called Next Generation which is based in Mossley.
“My mum and dad were both heavily involved and both my grandmas choreographed shows and directed, so I’ve been surrounded by a very supportive, performing family.
“It has been the norm for me to involved in theatre, it’s all I’ve ever known.
“When I was thinking about taking the stage professionally, the support from my family was incredible. I know a lot of people who don’t have what I have.
“It wasn’t that they forced me into this career, but it feels like I’m living the dream that they didn’t get to do.
“This career is tough, though. You have to have a thick skin and it can be daunting to think about getting an agent and going for auditions.
“I have confidence in myself, but I’ve never thought that I was the best in the north west or anything like that.
“I’ve always had the attitude that I will do what I enjoy doing and if someone likes that, then I’ll get the job.
“All jobs can be cutthroat. It wouldn’t matter if I had a job in finance, other people would want to work their way into certain positions and it’s just the same in the acting profession.
“I did Newsies down in London, which felt like a big moment for me in my career so far, because I did the show in my third year at college and it is my dream show.
“I got to perform my dream role of Jack Kelly, which I played every Thursday matinee. It was incredible to be involved in something that was so creative.
“When I did Book of Mormon and Waitress, they were already well established, so you feel like you are a cog in the machine, whereas in Newsies we were creating something from the ground up.
“Similarly, in Spend, Spend, Spend at the Royal Exchange, we were able to play around with the roles in rehearsals, especially because it was in the round so we were trying to find new ways to make sure the audience were involved, no matter which way each actor was facing. Anything creative is the best bit.”
George is still in his 20s but is already thinking of other ways his creative juices might flow in the future.
“I don’t know if it will be directing or movement directing but I would like to be involved in the rehearsal process,” he added.
“I think that would be really cool. For now, I have lots of ambitions in acting, so when the right door opens, I’ll be ready.
“I’ve auditioned for a few different things in 2025, so let’s see what happens.”
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