A YOUNG actor from Oldswinford has spent the last few months playing Tiny Tim in Scrooge the Musical.

Jode Hughes, aged nine, has been treading the boards at Curve theatre in Leicester alongside critically-acclaimed actor Jasper Britton and EastEnders star Danny Boy Hatchard.

The Oldswinford C of E Primary School pupil, who also attends The Theatre Workshop in Birmingham, auditioned for the part in August last year.

Stourbridge News:

Joe Maxwell as Bob Cratchit alongside Jode Hughes as Tiny Tim. Photo: Pamela Raith Photography

His proud mum Pam Gill-Hughes said he was "excited to get such a main part in a wonderful Christmas musical", which is based on Charles Dickens’ much-loved A Christmas Carol.

She said the rising star, who also performed in Evita at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre last May, had been attending weekly rehearsals since October and had performed in four shows a week since November 18.

"It has been quite hectic," she said. "Especially finishing in the evenings at 10.30pm but I am so proud of him for doing so well. It has been a long and tough schedule."

She added: "I thought Jode's performance was fantastic and his singing brought tears to my eyes, especially the scene with Bob Cratchit at Tiny Tim's grave.

"The feedback from the audience has been overwhelming."

Nikolai Foster, director of Scrooge the Musical and artistic director of Curve, added: “It’s been a real pleasure to work with Jode Hughes, a talented young actor who has been a wonderful Tiny Tim in Curve’s Christmas production of Scrooge the Musical.

“Jode has worked brilliantly alongside a world-class professional cast and production team, learning much along the way and performing in front of audiences of nearly a thousand people each time.

"It’s inspiring for all of us at Curve to nurture his passion for theatre and we wish him every success for the future.”