A HANWELL-born actor is to star in the West End production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Criterion Theatre this autumn.

Sonny Poon Tip will play Demetrius in the National Youth Theatre’s re-creation of the Shakespeare classic from December 6 to January 17.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream will provide an interesting spin as Helena will be played by a boy.

Poon Tip will also appear in an adapted version of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for the NYT’s seventh rep season.

He told me: “It is a big task but nice to put our own spin on an amazing story by adding depth to characters.

“I have no grasp of what it will be like. It is classic British theatre. The energy will be there. It will be a huge, huge task!”

The NYT has kickstarted the careers of many young actors. Its alumni include Daniel Craig and Matt Smith. 

READ MORE: Extinction Rebellion tree planted in Ealing

READ MORE: Ealing Broadway shows strength of hospitality industry

“The best thing about it is similar-minded young people coming together. It is a great inspiration,” said Poon Tip.

The NYT certainly has a family feel to it, with the cast spending nine months wrapped up in a bubble.

“We have the same ups and downs, love and passion, respect for each other as in every family,” he said. “As artists, we are there to hold each other up.”

Despite the hectic schedule, he is not one for resting and there is a running joke among his colleagues about how busy he always seems to be.

“I am a big believer in work hard, play hard,” he added. “If you don’t take time out from plays and [learning] lines, you get stuck in a rut.”

He would love to eventually be in a TV series. “Stage acting gives me confidence in my abilities. I just need to develop on-screen confidence,” he said.

The goal for Poon Tip is to work as an actor in theatre, film and TV, potentially eventually turning to directing.