Habs is delighted to announce the success of Year 9 pupil, Jobe, who has recently been recognised for his brilliant performance as best friend Billy in BIG, The Musical. Jobe has been involved in musical theatre productions outside of the School for the last three years. He started as Billy (original cast) in School of Rock at the New London Theatre for 12 months (2016/17). He then moved on to performing as Eric and Nigel (original cast) in Matilda during the UK and Ireland Tour for six months (2017/18) and then solely as Nigel in Matilda again at The Cambridge Theatre for another six months (2018/19).
Jobe was also invited to a Press Night for Big, The Musical, and his recent performance in the show at the Dominion has been greeted with nothing but praise from the local press:
The Guardian: ‘Josh’s firecracker best friend Billy (Jobe) is a scene-stealer.’
The Independent: ‘It’s a pleasure to say that one of the best performances comes from Jobe, who is spot-on as Josh’s loyal, assertive, sorely tried best childhood friend, Billy.’
The Times: ‘As the Young Josh and his best friend Billy, Jamie O’Connor and Jobe are never less than captivating.’
The Telegraph: ‘At the other end of the age spectrum, genuine juvenile Jobe impressed on opening night as his faithful best-friend Billy.’
Miro Magazine:‘As best friend Billy, Jobe, leads the youth cast with an assured confidence, intuitively balancing childlike glee and sensible maturity.’
Dress Circle Reviews: ‘We have to mention Jamie O’Connor as Young Josh and Jobe as his best friend Billy who both gave stellar performances opening the show in excellent form.’
The Arts Desk: ‘Josh’s best friend Billy (Jobe, a genuine find all his own) …’
Theatre Weekly: ‘…in the conversations between Josh and Billy, it feels like natural interactions between two thirteen-year olds’
British Theatre: ‘…and Jobe almost stole the show on press night as Billy, Josh’s friend hilarious and confident.’
The Stage: ‘…and he works well with young cast member Jobe as his best friend Billy.’
At the Theatre: ‘The biggest shout out however must go to Josh’s best friend – Billy. Jobe worked tirelessly to help his best friend rediscover the Zoltar machine, having to constantly remind Josh of the plan to revert back to a child. For a young performer, Jobe was engaging to the audience, endearing with his emotions, impressing with his vocals and mesmerising with his moves. When Josh is BIG I’m sure he will still be delivering the way he does in this show.’
The Spy in the Stalls: ‘Jobe did, however, stand out as Billy last night and most certainly has a musical theatre future.’
The UpComing: ‘Aimed at children and parents alike, this family-friendly show carries one vital message – that adulthood need not be rushed, for every life chapter has its perks and pitfalls – hammered home by Kopecki, whose brilliant Artful Dodger-like portrayal by Jobe makes the starlet the heart and soul of the play.’
The Gizzle review: ‘In this world, even the adults act like children, dressed though they are in drab grey office-wear. They’re mostly out-acted and out-danced by the cast of actual children – as best friend Billy, Jobe deserves praise.’
The School would like to congratulate Jobe on his fantastic success!
