Dream role for Cramlington dancer

Posted by The Journal on Apr 5, 09 10:53 AM in News

She loves to boogie . . . and soon talented performer Francesca Mango will be wowing crowds in London's West End.

The nine-year-old from Cramlington is set to follow in the dance steps of North star Jamie Bell by appearing in Billy Elliot.

Francesca Mango

She has been picked from the hundreds who turned out at auditions to play Debbie, the daughter of Billy's dance teacher.

With the show starting in June, at the Victoria Palace Theatre, Francesca and mum Lorna Kerr are heading down south for the start of rehearsals next weekend.

Ecstatic Francesca, who is a pupil of Michaela Percival's Cramlington-based stage school, says her pals just can't believe it.

"I can't wait," she said. "I'm just really pleased, it's going to be really fun going down there.

" I'm actually not nervous at all, plus my mum will be there.

"I won't be frightened going out in front of all those people. I just like acting."

Francesca will share the role with another North lass, and both will live in special accommodation for child actors in London.

They will receive tutoring there, but with strict limits on the amount of time she can work, she will also still be able to attend her regular school.

The aspiring actress won't have to worry about missing home, because her whole family have promised to be there for her opening night and as many performances as possible.

Still beaming, mum Lorna said: "I'm just so, so proud. It's like a dream come true for her. I was more nervous than her at the auditions.

"She's a natural, she just glows on stage. I don't know where she gets it from. I can't wait to see her perform.

"She says it's what she wants to do as a career, so hopefully it could be the start of big things for her."

Francesca Mango with her nana Valerie Kerr