By Emily Couch
Reporter
COTLEIGH, Devon, England
– At just 21 years of age, Samantha Barks is set
to make the momentous leap from the London stage to Hollywood stardom.
– At just 21 years of age, Samantha Barks is set
to make the momentous leap from the London stage to Hollywood stardom.
For
everyone who dreams big, Barks – currently starring as Nancy in the UK tour of Oliver! – is a true inspiration with her
shining talent and tenacity.
everyone who dreams big, Barks – currently starring as Nancy in the UK tour of Oliver! – is a true inspiration with her
shining talent and tenacity.
Renowned theater
producer Cameron Mackintosh set the Twitter world aflutter last week with his
announcement that Barks would play Eponine in the much-anticipated film of the hit
musical Les Misérables.
producer Cameron Mackintosh set the Twitter world aflutter last week with his
announcement that Barks would play Eponine in the much-anticipated film of the hit
musical Les Misérables.
Shewill join a stellar cast including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway
and Amanda Seyfried to shoot the film for a release date of Dec. 7, 2012.
Before the
announcement, the internet was rife with rumors about who would land the
role. Speculation included Glee’s Lea Michele and Grammy award-winning country singer Taylor Swift.
announcement, the internet was rife with rumors about who would land the
role. Speculation included Glee’s Lea Michele and Grammy award-winning country singer Taylor Swift.
The news spread like
wildfire over twitter and in a matter of minutes, hundreds of fans and
performers alike had tweeted the elated Barks their heartfelt congratulations.
wildfire over twitter and in a matter of minutes, hundreds of fans and
performers alike had tweeted the elated Barks their heartfelt congratulations.
British TV star Matt
Lucas, who played Monsieur Thenardier in the recent 25th anniversary
of Les Misérables, tweeted: “Fantastic news about the brilliant Samantha
Barks getting Eponine in the Les Mis movie.
Couldn’t happen to a lovelier girl.”
Lucas, who played Monsieur Thenardier in the recent 25th anniversary
of Les Misérables, tweeted: “Fantastic news about the brilliant Samantha
Barks getting Eponine in the Les Mis movie.
Couldn’t happen to a lovelier girl.”
Sabrina Aloueche, who
played Scaramouche in the West End show We
Will Rock You, tweeted: “Great and historical news for musical theatre tonight
as one of our own is set for Hollywood stardom! Congrats.”
played Scaramouche in the West End show We
Will Rock You, tweeted: “Great and historical news for musical theatre tonight
as one of our own is set for Hollywood stardom! Congrats.”
Barks
herself tweeted: “Most incredible moment of my life!!!! X”
herself tweeted: “Most incredible moment of my life!!!! X”
And
it’s fairly easy to imagine that this is the case.
it’s fairly easy to imagine that this is the case.
Barks
began her career in the public eye at the tender age of 18 on the reality TV
show I’d Do Anything, composer Andrew
Lloyd Webber’s search for Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver!
began her career in the public eye at the tender age of 18 on the reality TV
show I’d Do Anything, composer Andrew
Lloyd Webber’s search for Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver!
Finishing
in the top three out of thousands of West End hopefuls, Barks had shown the
British public her mettle and went on to star in shows such as Cabaret as well as do several successful
concerts.
in the top three out of thousands of West End hopefuls, Barks had shown the
British public her mettle and went on to star in shows such as Cabaret as well as do several successful
concerts.
From
2010 to 2011, Barks played Eponine for the first time in the London production
of Les Misérables at the Queen’s
Theatre.
2010 to 2011, Barks played Eponine for the first time in the London production
of Les Misérables at the Queen’s
Theatre.
Having
been wowed by her opening night, Mackintosh asked Barks to reprise her role in
the 25th anniversary of the show at the O2 arena alongside stars
such as Lea Salonga and pop star
Nick Jonas.
been wowed by her opening night, Mackintosh asked Barks to reprise her role in
the 25th anniversary of the show at the O2 arena alongside stars
such as Lea Salonga and pop star
Nick Jonas.
The
concert introduced her to an international audience, increasing her already
large fan base.
concert introduced her to an international audience, increasing her already
large fan base.
Think
you won’t see Barks if you’re not a musical fan? Think again.
you won’t see Barks if you’re not a musical fan? Think again.
Cementing
Barks’ bridge over the Atlantic is her part in the Disney Chanel’s new animated
series, Groove High, which will be
aired this spring.
Barks’ bridge over the Atlantic is her part in the Disney Chanel’s new animated
series, Groove High, which will be
aired this spring.
As a consummate theater
fan, I could not have wished for anyone else other than Barks to play in the
film version of Les Misérables, and clearly, I wasn’t the only one.
fan, I could not have wished for anyone else other than Barks to play in the
film version of Les Misérables, and clearly, I wasn’t the only one.
So
roll out the red carpet, Hollywood; move aside, Angelina Jolie. Samantha Barks is coming to America and set
to take the world by storm.
roll out the red carpet, Hollywood; move aside, Angelina Jolie. Samantha Barks is coming to America and set
to take the world by storm.
Forget
“dreaming the dream.” She’s living it.
“dreaming the dream.” She’s living it.
