Newry Schoolgirl shines in Musical Theatre and TV debut

Matilda Barron, an 11-year-old student at Our Lady’s Grammar School in Newry (and former pupil of Ballyholland Primary School), is already making waves in the world of performing arts.

A dedicated member of Newry Youth Performing Arts (NYPA) since its inception on February 2, 2020, Matilda has shown remarkable commitment to her craft.

In late 2020, she took her passion a step further, becoming a private student of NYPA’s Artistic Directors, Jordan Walsh and Roisin Fearon, to hone her skills in musical theatre, singing, speech, drama, and acting. Under their guidance, she has excelled in her training, achieving various grades through the London College of Music (LCM) and Trinity College London.

Throughout her time with NYPA, Matilda has embraced a range of roles, including Lavender in Matilda the Musical, Tessie in Annie, Ugly in Honk Jr., Cat in Seussical Jr., Kaitlin in Nativity the Musical, Gavroche in Les Misérables, and most recently, the titular role of Matilda in Matilda the Musical.

Her passion for the arts extends beyond acting. Matilda began dancing at just two years old with Newry Dance Theatre Arts and was already competing solo by the age of four at the Ulster Fusion Dance Competition. She has successfully completed grades 1 to 3 in ballet, further showcasing her versatile talents.

Most recently, Matilda’s hard work led to an exciting opportunity when she was cast to appear in a BBC series. Filming took place in Belfast over the summer, with additional scenes requiring her to miss a week of school in early September. The staff at Our Lady’s Grammar School showed immense support, ensuring she could balance her education with her burgeoning acting career.

NYPA Artistic Directors expressed their pride, saying, “Matilda is a true enthusiast for all things artistic. She puts her heart into everything she does, and we have no doubt this is just the beginning of an incredible journey for her.” With her passion, dedication, and undeniable talent, Matilda is definitely one to watch in the world of performing arts.