December 2022: A Local Stagecoach Performing Arts student from Isleworth has won a nationwide writing competition, following the cinema release of "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile". The film, which was released in October 2022, is based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber.

The live-action/CGI musical comedy film follows a singing crocodile who lives in New York City. It also features an all-star cast including Shawn Mendes and Javier Bardem, and was met with stellar reviews for being a warm and feel-good spectacle for families to enjoy.

Evelyn, aged nine, entered the competition back in October where she created a short story about when Stagecoach's mascot Sam, the Stagecoach Bear, met Lyle, the Crocodile. Using her own creative skills, as well as the Creative Courage For Life instilled in her through her Stagecoach Performing Arts classes, Evelyn's entry was picked out of 500 entries by the Stagecoach team. She and her family are now off to New York in the new year and the family couldn't be prouder.

Evelyn's mum Helen, said:

"Thank you to everyone at Stagecoach, we are super proud of Evelyn and the trip to New York is an absolute dream come true!"

Stagecoach Isleworth Principal, Valerie Weyland also added:

"We are so incredibly proud of Evelyn; she is a lovely student who has been with us since Early Stages and loves performing - especially singing. Our Stagecoach school at Isleworth gave her a big cheer when they heard the news that she had won. I was also so glad to see that the Stagecoach values of Creative Courage made it into her story to help Lyle! Well done, Evelyn!!"

As a result of the collaboration with Sony Pictures, Stagecoach also ran a "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Show in a Box", a range of performance opportunities that Stagecoach Principals organised for their schools. The bespoke workshop inspired by the film gave Stagecoach students the chance to enjoy performing an abridged version of the story during the Stagecoach Holiday workshops. Through using acting, singing, and dancing skills; children were able to learn about the story of the loveable crocodile, Lyle and his journey to unlock his very own Creative Courage for Life.

For more information on Stagecoach Performing Arts Isleworth, please visit https://www.stagecoach.co.uk/isleworth

About Sony Pictures' Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, starring Academy Award-winner Javier Bardem, Constance Wu and Shawn Mendes, is a live-action/CGI musical comedy that brings this beloved character to a new, global audience.

When the Primm family (Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle - a singing crocodile (Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music-living in the attic of his new home. The two become fast friends, but when Lyle's existence is threatened by evil neighbor Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), the Primms must band together with Lyle's charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti (Bardem), to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places and there's nothing wrong with a big singing crocodile with an even bigger personality.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile features original songs performed by Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, and Constance Wu, written by the songwriting team behind The Greatest Showman, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul. Joining Pasek and Paul in writing original songs for the film are Mendes, Ari Afsar, Emily Gardner, Xu Hall, Mark Sonnenblick, and Joriah Kwamé. Directed and produced by Will Speck and Josh Gordon, the screenplay is by Will Davies. The film is produced by Hutch Parker and executive produced by Kevin K. Vafi, Dan Wilson, Robert J. Dohrmann, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Tarak Ben Ammar and Andy Mitchell.