Mother and Son, Angeline Bell and Maddison Tyson to both star on the West End at the same time.
Angeline Bell is currently starring in the West End production of Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre. Performing in the ensemble as well as covering two parts – Mrs Wormwood and Mrs Phelps, Bell is also the first artist of Black heritage to play Mrs Wormwood on a UK stage. After becoming a parent, Bell placed her theatre career on hold to raise her son Maddison Tyson. She returned to the stage when he reached 12 years old and has a lengthy CV of theatre and television credits.
Tyson has followed in his Mother’s footsteps and will soon be beginning rehearsals for his professional debut in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London. This will mean both Mother and Son will be appearing in two of the West End’s most successful productions at the same time. Tyson will star as a vocal swing covering two parts – Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson and John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
As a single parent Bell has continuously worked several jobs and faced the struggles, felt by many others, to fund theatre training for her son. Tyson was awarded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship to fund his three years of full time training at the Urdang – City, University of London and Dang Academy in London. Bell also studied at Urdang and they have both built a close relationship with the staff and faculty at Urdang and The Dang Collective. Having just performed the role of Tommy Ross in his graduate musical of Carrie to incredible reviews, Tyson is thrilled to be heading straight to the infamous production of Hamilton.
It has been a challenging few months for the family due to the sudden and sad loss of Bell’s Mother and Tyson’s Grandmother. Bell explains, “My mum was our biggest mascot, she also helped to raise Maddison and provided childcare when I was working. The news of Maddison joining the cast of Hamilton would have made her so proud and has helped to lighten up this extremely tough time.”
Bell was the winner of the Black British Theatre Awards (BBTAs) Best Teacher Award at their inaugural ceremony in 2019 and nominated again in 2022. Bell is a permanent faculty member at Urdang – City, University of London and on The Dang Associates Programme. She will also be leading one of the lyrical classes at the BBTAs upcoming Day of Dance as a part of their Youth Development Programme this April.
“We are thrilled to both be in the West End at the same time. I have always believed in his talent and knew that he would do well, but it does feel very surreal.” Angeline Bell.
