THE West End awaits for one Hardenhuish School pupil who has been cast for a starring role in the new musical adaptation of Lewis Carrol's Jabberwocky.

Katie Whiting was selected by Youth Music Theatre UK to perform on the big stage at the Other Palace Theatre next week after stunning the play's producers in her audition.

It is not the first time that the 15-year-old, who writes her own songs and dances with the Prima Dance School, has been on the big stage though as she performed Swan Lake with the English Youth Ballet at the New Theatre in Oxford and sang with the School Proms at the Royal Albert Hall several years ago.

"I'm really excited," Katie, who lives in Allington, said. "I haven't seen the rest of the cast since the summer, so I'm looking forward to performing again with them in London.

"It is such an interesting play because it is so different to everything else out there at the moment. When I went for the auditions, they chose people right away, and because I'm a singer, I was quite surprised to be put in an acting role."

The 15-year-old plays the baker in the adaptation, where two friends, who are separated by more than a century, meet in a village set in the world of Alice in Wonderland. Their relationship is put to the test in the realm where the Jabberwocky roams.

We are so proud," her mother Sarah said. "I think it is lovely to see her on stage - it is really something. She has been dancing since she was three-years-old and whenever she gets on stage, she really does shine."

Katy Simpson, Katie’s music teacher at Hardenhuish, added: “Katie has an amazing presence on stage and engages with all of the audience. We wish her all the best with the production."

Jabberwocky will be performed at the Other Place theatre from 2.30pm and 7.30pm from April 7-April 14. Tickets start from £10 and can be purchased from www.theotherpalace.co.uk.