I CAN'T tell you the last time I was so enamoured with a young man. His enthusiasm and his humour are infectious and his conversation kept me late for another appointment - indeed I was sorry to have to wrap it up and move on.
George Rohan, I believe, is special. Like me, he loves theatre; unlike me, he's destined for the stage in some shape or form.
He doesn't mind what destiny holds as long as he's treading the boards. Already he has taken part in many plays and musicals, been Cagey Joe in Bugsy Malone, the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz, one of the leads in Musical Mayhem, appeared in Jim Crone's short film The Sycamore, Scottish Ballet's production of Hansel and Gretel in the Grand Opera House and will soon be appearing in two shows in Belfast, Evita and The Magic Flute. Just goes to show the versatility of this budding star - and guess what? He's only 13. George Rohan is a name to watch, especially when it comes to theatre. His mum Tanya tells me he first showed a flair for performing at Ballyholme Primary School in Bangor but that, like any young boy of his age, still has a love of sport, reading and, of course, that all-time favourite, Lego.
This is a young man whose head is firmly screwed on. He attends Bangor Dance Studio, the Youth Lyric, he sings at school, is in the Methodist College orchestra and band, plays French horn, studies piano and percussion. And yet he's not one bit pretentious nor a theatrical 'luvvie'; he's just in love with life and the excitement and challenge of appearing on stage. "I haven't lost my lines yet," he tells me, "but in one production when someone didn't come on at the right time we had to stall. I think we did it OK." Stage fright? "Young people don't have stage fright." His laughter is infectious when he adds: "I only get nervous when I'm going to the dentist." This theory about young people will be tested over the next few weeks when George appears in NI Opera production of The Magic Flute at the Lyric Theatre and Evita the Musical with Music Theatre for Youth at the T13 stage in the Titanic Quarter later this month.
Hopefuls were auditioned by members of the West End company who selected George to fill the role of one of the children and he loved being with these people as they worked with the junior cast members. "They prepared us for the show and gave us lots of tips." His eyes are dancing. "It makes me want to go to a theatre school even more when I see the professionals on stage."
More than anything, being a member of the Youth Lyric has given this young man a great grounding in the theatre arts. Certainly Aidan Brown, executive producer, and director Sheelagh O'Kane have shown their faith in his singing and acting but, more than this, his ability to mentor other even younger ones joining this thriving company. Administrator Anne Carson explains that the students enter Trinity Guildhall Exams every year; an adjudicator comes from London to put the children through their paces. "We had 200 students pass this year with merits and distinctions and these points can go alongside A-level results to help with university applications. We urge students to think in terms of an academic career first and so have something to fall back on, knowing as we do that theatre can be a difficult profession when it comes to full time work. Undoubtedly we encourage George," she says. "He has progressed from junior class to senior class and with his dramatic flair and his personality he will do well."
His favourite role with Youth Lyric was last year when he appeared as Jack in Magical Mayhem at the Waterfront Hall.
I saw this production and the cast and crew worked as a unit just as it should be but even on stage it was obvious that George was loving every moment as he and his sister Jill were taken on a whirlwind adventure by babysitters Tinkerbell and Trixie. He was so confident in his part - I think it's called being a natural. But then he has a class act to follow, his grandmother has been producing her particular style of theatre for years.
Maureen Martin began her working life at the famous Stella Goddard Model Agency and her love of haute couture has taken her round the world. With top male model and businessman Brian Massey, Maureen founded Stages Model Agency and built up an international reputation for innovative fashion shows, working with Alexander McQueen, Vivian Westwood, John Rocha, Roland Mouret and appearing on the BBC Clothes Show.
Tomorrow her agency, Maureen Martin Models, holds its annual designer fashion show, now a regular part of the Clandeboye Festival, providing a showcase for young designers from the University of Ulster and the Belfast Metropolitan College. Over the years this show has paved the way for our emerging designers to find placements in the industry in Ireland, Britain and internationally. It's important to her to support young talent, her models are in constant demand but her modelling courses help all ages. "Not only those who want to pursue a career in modelling or on stage," she says, "but anyone who wants to gain confidence or improve their deportment. We take a look at hair, make-up and skin care and importantly how to develop your own individual style."
No need to wonder from where George gets his theatrical talent.
* More information at www.maureenmartinmodels.com and mt4uth.com/news.
* RISING STAR: George Rohan with his grandmother Maureen Martin