Princess who stole hearts of judges

7:17am Tuesday 7th October 2008

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A BUDDING actress is to swap working for an asbestos removal firm to treading the boards in a starring role in one of the region’s biggest pantomimes.

Sarah Wales, from Gateshead, has been named as the winner of the Panto Princess competition at Darlington Civic Theatre.

The 23-year-old was chosen from 11 finalists in an X Factor-style competition at Darlington Arts Centre, on Sunday night.

She has won a professional contract to play the Princess in this year’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, at Darlington Civic Theatre.

Miss Wales graduated from The London School of Musical Theatre in the summer and since then has been working in the offices of her father’s asbestos removal business.

This was her first professional audition and she said she found the experience of performing in front of the panel of judges, which included Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne and the managing director of Qdos pantomimes Michael Harrison, nerve-wracking, but enjoyable.

Miss Wales said: “I was always told that if you’re not nervous, you don’t care, but everybody was so friendly, there was no bad karma backstage.

“I got ten out of ten from Duncan Bannatyne, which was nice to hear, as I know he can be quite tough.

“Michael Harrison said, ‘I can’t say anything, but I loved her’. I didn’t know what to say to that.

“It was very positive, it was lovely feedback.”

Miss Wales will start rehearsals on November 24, when she will meet her fellow cast members including Ian Reddington, of Coronation Street, TV and stage actor Steve Arnott, and Pete Hillier, from children’s television.

Until then, she will continue to work for her father, although she admits it might be a bit hard keeping her feet on the ground.

She said: “When I get the script, I’ll be on Cloud Nine.

“I won’t be able to slack off though, otherwise I’ll get a disciplinary procedure from my dad!

“My mum and dad have been supporting me since I was very young, as this is what I’ve always wanted to do.

“I’d love to do anything in the North-East, it’s such a great area for theatre.

“Everywhere you go there’s a lot of theatres and they’re all very well supported.”