A MOTHER and son from Launceston are enjoying their summer holidays — although a little different to most family’s breaks, the pair are both treading the boards with starring roles in productions at Sterts Theatre.

Amy Hodgson is starring in My Fair Lady as Eliza, while her son, Ben, is playing Dandy Dan in Bugsy Malone.

Amy is no stranger to the stage, having started performing in her early years. She says there is a line of actresses in her family, adding: “My grandma was a drama teacher and so was my mum — I think I was three when I did my first show. I think it’s brilliant, you get the chance to play brilliant parts.”

Not wanting to push any of her four children into performing, though, ten-year-old Ben only caught the acting bug last year, and has been working hard with Sterts since rehearsals for Bugsy Malone started in March.

Amy said Ben is one of the youngest in the production, adding: “He’s absolutely loving it. It’s great to get to know a whole new set of friends, mix with children of different ages, to have them learn to perform alongside other people. He’s had to learn words, learn about managing his nerves — there are all sorts of things you learn I think.

“Also learning about commitment and having to miss out on other things. It’s so good for him.”

Meanwhile, Amy is thoroughly enjoying taking part in her third production with Starts, adding jokingly: “For me personally rehearsals are my escape from my kids! I like the rehearsals as much as I like the performing.”

She added: “I think with Ben I could just see he’s got a natural love of performing whereas my other children possibly don’t so much at the moment. It’s obviously something he’s loved, even though he’s never been to a drama school or had singing lessons.”

As well as Ben, Amy has a nine-year-old daughter and boys aged four and five, and she and her husband Steve, who she describes as ‘very understanding’, run holiday lets next to their home.

She said of Steve: “He is very proud and supportive. I don’t think we could do it without him.”

The last performance of My Fair Lady at Sterts takes place on Tuesday, August 29. There are two performances of Bugsy Malone this Saturday, August 26, as well as peformances on Monday, August 28 and Saturday, September 2.