Meet the young Hoylake actor who is following in the footsteps of Daniel Craig

Thomas Perry, 17, was recently picked from thousands of auditionees to take part in the National Youth Theatre's (NYT) Summer Course and is set to travel down to London for two weeks to fine tune his skills.

Currently a student at LIPA and working part-time at Flavours Cafe in Hoylake, Thomas is hoping to raise £1,500 to cover the costs of his trip and course at NYT.

Founded in 1956, the NYT is a world-leading youth arts organisation that has seen the likes of Orlando Bloom, Helen Mirren, Colin Firth, Rosamund Pike, Matt Smith and David Walliams as members.

What's even more interesting is that Hoylake's very own Daniel Craig was also a member of the NYT.

Before this, Craig attended Hoylake Holy Trinity School and Hilbre High School - the two schools that Thomas also attended.

Thomas told the Globe: "I really started taking acting seriously from around age 11, I started Hilbre High School and took drama lessons and loved it, I just love being on the stage.

"People would comment on my performances and that just made me more passionate.

Thomas as Noah Claypole in Oliver at The Royal Court in November 2017

"So I joined a local drama club and performed in a small production of Bugsy Malone and then gained a part in a local pantomime of Peter Pan at the Gladstone theatre in Port Sunlight.

"My audition for NYT was held in Rare studios in Liverpool, the morning consisted of a workshop and then in the afternoon I did a monologue and had an interview in front of a panel.

"I felt on the day it had gone well and found out May 2 that I had succeeded in getting in.

"I now get to go to London for two weeks across July and August.

"Part of the whole experience is to prove that I am determined and passionate about attending the course and becoming an actor, this is by attempting to raise funds to cover the cost of not just the course but accommodation as well.

"I know it's going to be tiring and intense but l’m excited. When I do acting it's really good fun and what I love plus I know I am improving and I’ll come back 10x better.

"I'm in the first year of LIPA now and it's great because I’m just surrounded by acting.

"With NYT it opens up more opportunities and to say I’m a member of the NYT means a lot."

Thomas as one of the lost boys in Peter Pan at the Gladstone Theatre in 2014

Over the years Thomas has performed in countless productions including BOST’s production of Oliver at the Royal Court in Liverpool.

Thomas' mum Paula believes that this is an amazing opportunity for her son.

She told the Globe: "We used to go up to a caravan and when he was a tiny baby, he crawled onto the stage with the entertainment guys and I couldn't get him off so from there the interest began.

"My daughter used to then put him up for the talent shows and things and he just thrived from that.

"He was very shy off stage but when he got up there it was a different story.

"The NYT auditions take place across the UK and there are approximately 6,000 kids trying out for one of 500 places.

"So we are all so proud of Thomas as this is a huge achievement from his first audition with them.

"It's such an amazing opportunity that just opens doors and after the two week course he is a member with them until he is 26."

Thomas as Dandy Dan in Bugsy Malone when he was 12

So what's next for Thomas?

He says: "I know it’s hard but I do want to go far with acting and have a successful career whether it’s on stage or on screen.

"I would love to be in the movies but I really just want to secure a life in acting and do all I can with it really. I can't see myself doing anything else, it's all I want to do.

"Daniel Craig did it - so why can't I?"

Anyone who would like to sponsor Thomas' trip to London can do so by visiting

or email lauren.jones@nqnw.co.uk