A RISING star from Porthmadog has won an acclaimed national scholarship and is now dreaming of the West End.

Last weekend actor Cedron Sion won the prestigious Urdd Gobaith Cymru Bryn Terfel Scholarship in a thrilling concert held at the Sony Theatre, Bridgend College.

The competition was the culmination of this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod activities and the Scholarship, worth £4,000, was presented to Cedron in front of the Theatre’s audience and live on S4C.

Cedron, who is currently studying at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, took the top spot after impressing the judges - Catherine Ayres, Eirlys Britten, Delyth Medi Lloyd, Sian Meinir and Rakhi Sing.

His repertoire included an extract from Shylock’s speech from ‘The Merchant of Venice’; an extract from Sundance’s speech from the drama ‘Sundance’; an extract from Peilat’s speech from the drama ‘Iesu!’; and ‘Tasa Ti’n Gweld Hi Drwy’n Llygad’ (If You Could See Her) from ‘Cabaret’.

In the lead-up to the concert, every contestant received master classes from an expert in their field and Cedron received great advice from well-known performer Eddie Ladd.

A former pupil of Ysgol Eifion Wyn and Ysgol Eifionydd, Cedron is a familiar face to fans of S4C’s Rownd a Rownd where he played the part of Dewi for many years.

He said: “It was an honour to perform and compete here this evening. I’m extremely grateful for the chance to be part of a competition such as this that provides a platform and a wonderful opportunity for passionate young performers.

Read the full story in this Thursday’s north editions of the Cambrian News