These are some of the internationally renowned artists who have received recognition for their on-stage performances from the New York Theatre World organisation.

The international stars named received their awards from Theatre World early in their careers, and all went on to become household names in the theatre and movie worlds.

Although not as widely acclaimed as these megastars, former Crookwell schoolboy Jeremy Secomb has received critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic for his performances.

In London, these range through such roles as The Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, Inspector Javert in Les Miserables and probably most notably in the lead role in Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Secomb’s acclaimed performance as Sweeney Todd in London led to his being brought into Les Miserables by Cameron McIntosh.

McIntosh then released Secomb to reprise his Sweeney Todd role in an off-Broadway production.

And it was Secomb’s menacing performance as the deranged barber that caught the eye of New York theatre critics.

It also caught the eye of the judges who held him worthy of naming him as an off-Broadway Honoree for his Sweeney Todd triumph.

The awards were announced last week.

Some idea of Secomb’s impact on the New York theatre scene can be gauged from these critical comments:

Breaking News: ‘...Secomb, truly, mesmerizingly  terrifying in the title role. Secomb has lasers for eyes that cut through you … and a gift for dementedness that will either delight you or make you upchuck that tasty pie that preceded the performance.’

Time Teeman, in Scream: ‘How do you feel about a certain demon barber looking deep and menacingly into your eyes as he sings about cutting your throat?

‘Jeremy Secomb as Sweeney Todd in the marvellous nerve-shredding London transfer of the Stephen Sondheim musical, fizzes as much with terror as the mock London pie shop can contain.’

Secomb has now left the New York production and has returned to London to resume his role in Les Miserable.

His brother Michael and wife Kathy, of Laggan Road, enjoyed a trip to America to celebrate Secomb’s success.