Young actress takes a step on ladder to fame

9:22am Friday 2nd May 2008

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RISING teen star Lauren Eddy has scooped a place in the prestigious National Youth Theatre.

The 15-year-old Calne schoolgirl is one of only three Wiltshire would-be actors to land a place at the London-based theatre training scheme.

Former graduates of the scheme include Oscar winning actress Dame Helen Mirren and Little Britain comedian David Walliams.

Lauren, who goes to John Bentley, said she was stunned when she found out she had won against other talented teenagers in the country.

She said: "I always took part in village pantomimes but I only really got into drama when I started secondary school.

"My drama teacher told us about an audition for NYT and some of my class and some sixth-formers decided to apply.

"I had no idea I would get in and the audition was incredibly nerve-racking because I was around people I didn't know who I thought were a lot better than me.

"We did breathing exercises and some games and then we had to audition on our own, one-on-one which was terrifying.

"When I left the audition I didn't think I would have got in at all. I thought my audition was fine but nothing special.

"A couple of weeks later my mum called me and told me the letter had arrived and I just told her to open it.

"Two minutes later she called me back and told me the I had got in and I was completely stunned."

The teenage actress, who said her acting hero was Helena Bonham-Carter, plans to go on to drama school.

She said: "Before I became involved in drama I wanted to do something in sport but now I am fully committed to becoming a professional actress."

Lauren will attend an NYT summer school in August and is now looking for a local business to sponsor her.