TREADING the boards and winning a stage debut award for his talented efforts is a former Godalming Collage student from Haslemere.

Sam Thomas has won best actor in a musical at the first ever Stage Debut Awards, which celebrates young British emerging stage talent, in a ceremony in London.

His award was received for his role in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical Allegro at the Southwark Playhouse in London.

The musical was written nearly 70 years ago but didn’t fit the mould usually associated with Roger’s and Hammerstein’s musicals of the American Dream.

The revival of the musical at the Southwark Playhouse was the first time that the production had been staged in Europe.

Thomas (pictured), who was a student at Godalming College from 2011-13, described his reaction to winning as simply “shock”.

He said: “All the other lads nominated in the category were all worthy of this, but obviously I feel absolute pride, excitement and honour.

“Allegro revolutionised the form of musical theatre and tilted the axis of what musical theatre is all about – that it doesn’t have to be a big showy thing, it can be a very contained, integral, actor-driven and character-driven piece of theatre."

While at college Sam spent most of his time in its performing arts centre taking drama and theatre studies and performing arts A-levels alongside English literature. He also furthered his research through an extended project qualification linked to his performing arts studies.

Sam further honed his skills in ClassAction the college’s performance in the company of Max Bowden, who went on to star in the TV series Waterloo Road, and was a member of the stage play cast of Songbird, by Sebastian Faulks.

Along with other performances in college productions Sam was also part of the original cast of the musical Everything in Colour performed at the Wimbledon Theatre and further developed the production as musical director for performances at the Guildford Fringe Festival.

After Godalming, Sam progressed to Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts to take a BA (Hons) in musical theatre, but has frequently returned to college to lead vocal and singing masterclasses for current students.

Andy Pullen, Godalming’s head of drama, dance and performing arts said: ‘Sam always acted with generosity and humility.

“It was clear he was a driven practitioner full of the determination to continue his training and to perform professionally. Sam always gives of his time freely, and encourages and supports others"