Sheffield woman whose theatre dreams were smashed by tragedy scores place at UK's leading training school
Lowri Anderson, 25, has been accepted onto the prestigious London School of Musical Theatre
A young Sheffield performer whose dream of a career in musical theatre was derailed by family tragedy has secured a place at one of the UK's leading professional musical theatre training schools.
Lowri Anderson, 25, has been accepted onto the prestigious London School of Musical Theatre after navigating a gruelling audition process.
The former High Storrs student’s triumph marks the culmination of an extraordinary personal journey. In July 2018, just days after playing her first lead role at the Crucible Theatre, Lowri's mother died.
The loss had a profound impact on the family and in the years that followed Lowri's long-held ambition of pursuing a professional career in musical theatre faded into the background.
Something which devoted dad Neil Anderson described as “heartbreaking to watch".
He added: "Lowri had lived and breathed musical theatre from a very young age. After her mum died the passion simply disappeared. It wasn't a lack of talent or ability. Her whole world had changed."
However, despite trying different career paths and educational opportunities, something was always missing, said Lowri.
She said: “After losing my mum, I found it really difficult to reconnect with performing. I threw myself into other things and built a career I’m incredibly proud of but there was always a part of me that missed it.”
The passion that had once defined her life, said Lowri, began to return after a “tricky” seven years and she decided to audition for the London School of Musical Theatre.
It is one of the country's most respected training programmes, whose graduates have gone on to perform in major West End productions including Wicked, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Mamma Mia.
Proud dad Neil, speaking about his daughter’s success, said: "I've never been the world's biggest musical theatre fan, but seeing Lowri rediscover something she loved so much has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
“There were times when I thought that part of her life had gone forever. To see her walking back towards it after everything she's been through is incredibly special.
"I'm proud of her for many reasons, but this achievement feels particularly hard-won." The London School of Musical Theatre's one-year professional training programme begins in September 2026.