Girls land roles in million dollar hit

HUNDREDS of young hopefuls auditioned for roles in a Christmas production of ‘Annie’ - and two of them, Brighouse performers Olivia Midgley and Jody Townend, are now taking a bow and enjoying the clapping on the professional stage.

The girls have landed roles as orphans in the musical ‘Annie’, starring Duncan Preston as billionaire Daddy Warbucks, at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, and love every minute of it.

Thirteen-year-old Olivia, of Rastrick, is a student at Stage 84 School of Performing Arts in Bradford, and 11-year-old Jody, of Huddersfield, performs with Exit 25 drama school in Brighouse.

They have joined 32 other youthful girls from all over West Yorkshire who are playing Miss Hannigan’s orphans - in two teams - until mid-January.

It’s a great chance for them to be part of one of West Yorkshire’s top Christmas shows - and one which is already packing them in at the 750-seat Quarry Theatre. But if the girls have any nerves, they surely don’t let them show.

Olivia, who was in ‘Annie’ with Su Pollard in Bradford last year, is already a veteran of the show. “I’m truly enjoying it. There’s a special atmosphere doing a show at Christmas and we all get on really well,” said Olivia, a pupil at All Saints RC High School, Bradley.

We started rehearsing in October and it’s been great fun although I’ve already broken the bed, sewing machine and a tray! My families have already been to see the show.