A five-year-old from Penryn could be destined for a life in theatre after receiving rave reviews in a special opera performance.

Finley Challingsworth, from Round Ring Gardens, was the only local child chosen to take part in a recent performance of Madama Butterfly, at the Hall for Cornwall.

The touring Ellen Kent Production of Puccini’s opera – on which the musical Miss Saigon is also based – featured Finn as Madame Butterfly’s son. He won the role through the Cornwall Casting Agency, run by performing arts teacher Jason Thomas. 

His family had expected it to be a small part, but in fact Finn was on stage for much of the production and even had a couple of lines. 

His proud mum Jenna said she was “absolutely blown away” by her son’s performance, adding: “The director said afterwards he was absolutely perfect, and the stage manager said that he was the best child they have had for this part. “He had a sea of people when we came out the stage door, with people running up to congratulate and comment on his performance. He even had to stay behind to sign autographs!”

She added that the show’s cast had been “so motherly and caring” towards her son, and thanked Jason Thomas for the “incredible opportunity” given to Finn. 

This was not the first time on the Truro stage for Finn, however. Earlier this year he performed there with the Cornwall Theatre School.