Bobby Donald of Whitehaven appears in live Winnie The Pooh production

Bobby Donald is starring as Christopher Robin in the musical stage adaptation of Winnie The Pooh, showing at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal this week.

A local performer takes on the role of Christopher Robin at each venue, with Bobby being cast after sending in a self-tape audition through his talent agency, Scream Management.

Bobby outside the stage door of Newcastle's Theatre Royal ahead of opening night (Image: Shaun Donald)

It is Bobby’s second professional theatre role after playing ‘Michael’ in a national production of Billy Elliot the Musical at Leicester’s Curve Theatre last year.

At only 12 years old, Bobby is building an impressive list of credentials – after also starring in the 2022 Christmas advert for Morrisons supermarket and appearing in two series of the CBeebies programme, Biggleton, when he was just six years old.

Speaking about his son’s latest role following the opening night on Monday, Bobby’s dad, Shaun Donald said: “Bobby loved it. He did well with script and direction given the fact that he hadn’t had a rehearsal until an hour before curtain opens. I would never have the confidence to do that.

“It’s great to see him so comfortable and at home when he’s on stage. It didn’t seem to phase him one bit. Regardless of the size of the theatre, he just takes it in his stride every time.”

Disney's Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation is touring across the UK (Image: Archive)

Disney's Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation first ran in New York in 2021 and is now touring across the UK.

It was created by Jonathan Rockefeller and features life sized puppets of the beloved residents of the Hundred Acre Wood - Winnie The Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit and Owl.

The musical is based on A. A. Milne's classic children's books and Disney's featurettes and includes an original score by Nate Edmondson along with of the Sherman Brothers' songs that were written for the animated features.