A FORMER Park Road Primary School pupil has been recognised by the Olivier Awards for rocking the West End.

Jude Harper-Wrobel is part of the young cast for the musical version of School of Rock which won the accolade for Outstanding Achievement in Music on Sunday. The 11-year-old performs live up to five times a week as the drummer in one of three children’s bands.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, based on the 2003 Jack Black film, follows substitute teacher and wannabe rock star Dewey Finn who enters his class of straight-A students into a Battle of the Bands competition.

Jude missed his chance to walk on the red carpet for the awards ceremony at Royal Albert Hall as he was performing in School of Rock that night.

But he joined the rest of his mates from the cast – and Andrew Lloyd Webber – in time to celebrate.

Jude, who grew up in Great Sankey, said: “As soon as we finished our performance we had to get changed and then get a taxi to the Royal Albert Hall for the Olivier Awards.

“Once, we were there we joined the other School Of Rock kids. The Royal Albert Hall is such an amazing place.

“There were lots of famous actors like Sir Ian McKellen who plays Gandalf in Lord Of The Rings and Kenneth Branagh who my dad says is very famous too. I met Brian May out of Queen. I knew who he was.”

Jude got the part of drummer Freddie after impressing Andrew Lloyd Webber with his acting and musical talents and passion for bands like AC/DC and Free.

Jude added: “Andrew is really nice and supportive. We don’t see him all of the time but he gives us lots of compliments and advice and has always said for us to be natural and just do what you do.

“To be part of an Olivier award-winning team is amazing. When I started with School Of Rock I never imagined that I would go on to attend such a big awards show, never mind being nominated and then winning.

“It’s a very special feeling being part of the original 12 band children who have helped make the show so successful alongside the rest of the amazing cast. I know we have inspired other kids to work hard and practice their instruments.”

School of Rock opened on Broadway in 2015 and was brought over to the West End last year.

The musical is currently at the New London Theatre.

As well as winning the award for Outstanding Achievement in Music, School of Rock was also nominated for Best New Musical while actor David Fynn, who plays Dewey, was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical.

But the big winner of the night was Harry Potter and the Cursed Child with a record nine prizes.

Jude said: “The Harry Potter films are so cool so I’m not surprised that the stage show has been just as successful.

“The School Of Rock film is also one of the coolest kids’ films so I am proud to be part of the stage show. To be nominated with Harry Potter and then win was just awesome.”

Playing Freddie has been the perfect role for Jude as his two loves are acting and drumming.

He added: “I would love to keep performing and do it as a job when I am older. I am a musician but I also love acting and singing, I would like to be in the musical Hamilton when I grow up.”

DAVID MORGAN