Afia lands wizard role (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Afia lands wizard role

ONE Swindon youngster is following the yellow brick road this weekend, and hopes it will turn out to be a road to stardom.

Afia Freeman, 9, is performing in The Wizard of Oz at the Bristol Hippodrome this weekend.

And the Tanwood dance school pupil isn't nervous about being on one of the region's biggest stages.

"I'm used to it. I've been on the Wyvern stage quite a bit and just really like being on stage.

"I really want to be famous."

Afia has already had the chance to meet one of the show's stars, Danni Harman who plays Tracey Beaker on child-ren's TV.

She said: "I went up to tell her one of her friends who goes to my dance school said 'hi.'

"She told me it was really cute of me to tell her and gave me a big hug."

Her grandmother, Gillian Freeman, is very proud of her grand-daughter.

"I am really happy for her.

"It is a wonderful experience to be part of," she said.

"She told me the other day she wants her face on the billboards in Swindon."

Afia will be treading the boards with fellow Swindonian, Pearce Barron, 7.

She is performing in today's matinee and evening performances.