BIRCHWOOD’S own rising star Oliver Ormson is set to appear in the world premiere of the Back to the Future musical when it opens at Manchester Opera House next year.

The actor, who had his breakthrough with The Book of Mormon in the West End, will be joining Marty McFly (Olly Dobson) and Doc Brown (Roger Bart) in the stage adaptation of the 80s cult classic, created by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. He is part of the featured ensemble as well as understudying the role of Biff.

The musical – opening in Manchester with a 12-week run – follows a similar story to the time-travelling original.

When Marty is accidentally transported back to 1955, he disrupts the order of things and must ensure his high school-aged parents still fall in love in order to save his own existence.

Former Birchwood High and Priestley College student Oliver Ormson, who has also starred in High Fidelity and The Addams Family, said: “As a big fan of the cult classic movie, I am absolutely thrilled to be appearing in Back to the Future the Musical.

“And the fact that the world premiere is taking place right here in the north west makes it even more special. It really is set to be a fantastic show and I can’t wait for it to open in February.”

Oliver was inspired to become an actor by his mum Jacquie Sheridan while growing up in Birchwood.

Jacquie was and still is a big part of the amateur dramatics scene in the town and when he was young Oliver would be in the background while people painted props or practised their lines in his family’s living room.

Northwich Guardian:

That led to him doing bit parts in his mum’s pantomimes before taking the lead role in Birchwood CE Primary School’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat when he was 10.

Oliver also joined Warrington’s Encore Productions and after studying at Priestley College he pursued acting as a career at Liverpool Theatre School.

More than 90 percent of recent graduates from Liverpool Theatre School have gone on to enjoy professional stage careers with alumni appearing in hit shows such as Wicked, Les Miserables, Starlight Express, Cilla and Blood Brothers.

Maxine Ellis, principal at Liverpool Theatre School, added: “As a student at Liverpool Theatre School, Oliver Ormson was always extremely talented and I am delighted to see his training and hard work is paying off.

“He’s already proven to be an outstanding performer in shows such as The Addams Family, The Book of Mormon and High Fidelity and we are all very proud of his latest achievement.

“I am very much looking forward to seeing him in Back to the Future the Musical when it opens in the new year.”

Those who want to see Oliver in Back to the Future the Musical will need to set their DeLorean to February 20.

Featuring iconic songs from the 1985 movie, including Johnny B Goode and The Power of Love, the production will be directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando and run for 12 weeks at Manchester Opera House before moving to the West End. Visit backtothefuturemusical.com