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Ellesse has her sights set on the West End

Emma Mountford
1/ 5/2008

IT MAY not be a hard-knock life for one talented teen, but she is definitely working hard since bagging the coverted part of Annie.

Singer Ellesse Clough was hand-picked for the starring role after being asked to audition for the part which has made its mark on stages around the world.

The 13-year-old has now been in rehearsals since last November and is set to take to the stage later this month at the Middleton Civic Centre.

She said: "I did a show before where I was the understudy for Annie in Rochdale. The music director told me to audition for the Prestwich Amatuer Operatics and Dramtics Society. I went to the audition and there was one other girl there as well. Then they rang me when I was at home to tell me I had got Annie."

Ellesse, who attended St Gabriel's Primary School before going to secondary school in Heywood, rehearses three times a week in preparation for the six-show run. And despite being only 13-years-old, and having never been in a big production before, the youngster is excited about the curtain going up.

"I sang for Key 103 at the Trafford Centre and took part in my school talent show. It's something I've always wanted to do. I like being on stage, It's really exciting," she said. "I don't get stage fright."

Ellesse's dad, Michael Clough, added: "We are extremely proud of her. She played Annie in the Saturday matinee in Rochdale but she's never done anything like this before."

The plucky teenager now hopes the role will help pave the way for her ultimate ambition of performing in the West End. And having been signed up to the Bright Sparks talent agency it seems her dreams may only be a day away.

The show runs from Tuesday 20 May to Saturday 24 May at Middleton Civic Centre. Tickets are priced from £7 and are available from the box office on 0161 643 2389.