A TALENTED Humberston star has followed his dreams and made it to the West End – landing himself a role in a smash-hit musical.
Former Swaby Dance Centre pupil Daniel Clift is currently performing tap dancing and street numbers eight times a week in the new religious satire musical, The Book of Mormon.
The show has been penned by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. And Daniel is part of the ensemble, taking the role of a Mormon, at The Prince Of Wale Theatre, London until February next year.
The former Lindsey School and Franklin College pupil, 22, said: "This is the best experience of my life and it has always been a dream of mine to make it to the West End.
"At the age of 16 I knew I wanted to make it, so that's when I started to concentrate and work really hard on musicals.
"It is really fun, but exhausting at the same time, because my character is very comical and hyper.
"It is such a hectic show, which is fun, with plenty of dancing. I perform every night apart from Sundays and I put all my energy into it."
Daniel moved to London in 2009 and he was one of a handful of students at the Arts Education School, London – where he studied for a BA Hons in musical theatre – to be picked for an honour.
"I knew I had to move to London because it's where everything is happening," he added.
"My agent found this role for me a year ago and I successfully auditioned for it.
"It's great to finally be performing in it. All the cast are fantastic and I get on with everyone."
The musical, which follows a pair of Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that's a long way from Salt Lake City, is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre album.
Daniel added: "I couldn't have achieved this without beginning my career in Grimsby.
"My parents drove me everywhere to all the shows and dance schools I went to.
"I used to perform in a lot of Curtain Up Productions, too."
Proud granddad Gordon Clift, of Cleethorpes, said: "I knew he would make it because, since the age of nine, he has been enjoying theatre work.
"I am glad he has stuck with it because he can achieve anything now.
"He performed as Oliver in the musical at the Grimsby Auditorium and he brought the house down. He has also toured the UK with 42nd Street musical."
Performances are Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm and Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm.
The Prince Of Wales Theatre is on Coventry Street, London W1D 6AS.
Find out more about The Book of Mormon
