Jean Gray on young Newham actor appearing at a prestigious London theatre

A boy standing in front of some benches outside the National Theatre — Darcy at the National Theatre

Nine-year-old Darcy Tosun (pictured) is making his debut appearance on the West End stage in a play at the National Theatre that includes a glittering line-up of big names in the theatre world.

His Newham family couldn’t be more proud. His father Serhat told Newham Voices: “Darcy’s journey so far has been entirely local, growing up in Newham, performing in community settings, and now, suddenly, stepping onto the National stage alongside some of the most celebrated figures in British theatre. As his debut role, this is a huge moment for him, and for us.”

The new play, The Land of the Living, opens at the National Theatre on 9 September and is due to run until 1 November. It looks at the experience of a young boy who was stolen by the Nazis from Eastern Europe during World War Two. At the end of the war, a United Nations relief worker must decide whether she should try to reunite him with his birth family or leave him with those who have brought him up.

Darcy is in fine company. The play stars actor Juliet Stevenson and is directed by Stephen Daldry.

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