Musical hopeful inspired by mum returns to stage

A young woman who put her dreams of a career in the arts on hold following the death of her mum has won a place at the London School of Musical Theatre seven years on.

Lowri Anderson, from Woodseats in Sheffield, lost her mum Siân Davies just days after she had taken to the boards of Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in a leading role.

Siân, 51, died suddenly from liver failure in 2018 after a long battle with mental health problems and alcohol addiction.

"After losing my mum, I found it really difficult to reconnect with performing," Lowri said.

Musical theatre had been centre stage in her life since childhood after she joined a week-long course at a drama academy when she was 12.

"I got the bug. Every single decision I made was all about musical theatre," said Lowri, now 25.

It was around this time she also found out about her mum's struggles with alcohol.

Siân had worked as the artistic director of Brewhouse Arts Centre in Burton on Trent, and shared her enthusiasm for the stage with her daughter.

For Lowri, musical theatre provided an escape from home life, from social workers coming round every day, from interventions at school.

But after losing her mum her interest waned.

Instead of focusing on the stage she worked to support those struggling with addiction and homelessness in the criminal justice system.

"I really cared about this group of people and really valued what they thought and their opinion," she said.

Lowri explained her mum's struggles had led her to this line of work.

"I think she could have definitely done with a lot more support but she didn't really want the support because of the stigma surrounding it.

"I feel proud that I can talk about the issues that my mum had and how important it is to talk about it because people don't talk about addiction enough."

Despite building a successful career in Sheffield, she could not forget the bright lights of the West End that she had dreamed of since childhood.

"I just woke up one day and was like, I've tried all these different things, something is still missing.

"The second that I started dancing, I started doing singing lessons again, I was like, oh my god, where has this been?"

• Details of information and support with addiction are available in the UK at BBC Action Line

Dad Neil Anderson has welcomed seeing her returning to her old passion.

"There were times when I thought that part of her life had gone forever," he said.

"Seeing Lowri rediscover something she loved so much has been one of the greatest joys of my life."

In September Lowri will start intensive training at the London School of Musical Theatre.

Its graduates have gone on to star in West End shows including Wicked and Les Miserables.

She has taken the difficult decision to head south, sold her house and quit her job.

She said it would not be easy but she felt she would make her mum proud.

"I think she'd be absolutely thrilled and I think she'd be really pleased to see the path that I've taken."

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