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Lauren gets to go to the ball
A TEENAGER who was told by doctors she may never walk again has battled against the odds to land the title role in the region's biggest pantomime.
Three years ago, Lauren Hall, of Rickleton, Washington, thought her dream of becoming a championship dancer was over, when medics warned her joints could no longer take the strain of her energetic routines.
Talented Lauren, 17, had been dancing since she was a toddler, but after being born with dislocated hips each performance was becoming an increasing battle.
She was told there was a chance she could lose the ability to walk if she carried on dancing with damaged joints.
Determined for their daughter to fulfil her dreams, Lauren's parents Michael and Carole raised 30,000 for her to be operated on by specialists in Switzerland.
And now, Lauren has proved the doctors wrong by landing the role of Cinderella in Newcastle's Theatre Royal Christmas production, starring alongside Jill Halfpenny as the fairy godmother.
Lauren, who attends Lord Lawson of Beamish School, in Birtley, said: "Auditioning was really scary because there were so many talented girls and I knew I would need to perform at my very best to stand any chance of getting the part.
"This really is a dream come true. I'm absolutely over the moon."
It is the second time Lauren has performed at the Tyneside theatre. Two years ago she played Wendy alongside Tim Healy in Peter Pan.
She added: "I never thought I would get it and really thought I should just use it as audition experience.
"When they rang I couldn't believe it – I was crying, my mam was crying and so was my dad.
"I'm so excited. It's every little girl's fairytale dream come true to play Cinderella."
Wallsend-born producer and director Michael Harrison held auditions across the country, attended by thousands of young hopefuls, to try and find his leading lady – but decided that it was Lauren who would go to the ball.
Lauren, who has trained at Gateshead's Marron Stage School for seven years, will head down to London at the end of this month to rehearse until December 5.
Cinderella is at the Theatre Royal Newcastle from December 10 until January 21. Tickets, 5 to 19.50, can be bought from the booking office on 0870 905 5060 or online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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