News

18 December 2020

Lost Boy Eric finds his voice in star-studded Peter Pan performance

The line-up for the latest adaptation of Peter Pan is stellar, boasting numerous Oscars and Olivier Awards…as well as a Year 7 John Lyon pupil.

Eric Zoica is set to star as Nibs in a brand-new audio version of J M Barrie’s classic play, alongside household names such as Sir Kenneth Branagh, Olivia Colman, Clive Rowe, Jane Horrocks, Bertie Carvel and Sharon D Clarke.

The recording is in support of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH), with the premiere set to be released online on Christmas Eve, Thursday 24th December. The London children’s hospital was gifted the rights to the Peter Pan story by Barrie in 1929, with royalties from performances used to fund the vital research, equipment and support for which the hospital is famous. With theatres largely closed this year, this vital funding stream has been hard hit but all money raised from this online audio production will go directly to GOSH.

LISTEN ONLINE FROM 24TH DECEMBER


Eric’s involvement in Peter Pan came thanks to his work with the GOSH Young People’s Forum, an organisation within the hospital made up of children and young people from ten to 21, who discuss hospital policies, how to make it more child friendly, and what actions they think the hospital should be taking.

He sent an audition tape and was soon informed he would play the part of Nibs, described as “happy and debonair, possibly the bravest Lost Boy”. Because of the numerous restrictions in place, all his parts were recorded in a make-shift bedroom recording studio at home, with all equipment and props sent to the house and more than ten hours of rehearsals before the actual recording began.

Eric said: “Recording Peter Pan was an amazing experience for me. It was an unusual experience too, as it was all done remotely, but I can definitely say that it was one of the best things I have done in my life.

“Acting is one of my passions and it was fantastic to meet all these famous actors, chat and joke with them and ask them lots of questions and tips. My aspiration is that I will become one of them in the future!

“One of the reasons I decided to take part in this project is because I wanted to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, a cause very close to my heart. To know that I can contribute even a bit to the happiness and wellbeing of other children would be an honour and it is immensely rewarding to me.”

Peter Pan