South Shields girl taking on lead role in musical Annie

Eleanor Brettell, from the Lawe Top, is starring in the musical at Northern Stage, in Newcastle.

The show, which runs until Saturday, is being put on by Newcastle High School For Girls, where the 12-year-old is a pupil.

Eleanor is the youngest cast member in the production which follows a young orphan girl in New York as she tries to find her parents.

Eleanor will be proudly watched by her dad Neil Wood, mum Francesca Brettell, big brother Samuel Wood, 14, and little sister Catherine Brettell, nine.

Neil said: “I think she’s very excited. She only joined the school in September and decided to audition because she loves the arts and dancing and singing.

“She was shortlisted after her audition and I think she was quite surprised when she got the part.

“She’s been practicing hard ever since, staying back after school and going in on weekends, and we’re all very excited to see her, there are family members at all four performances.”

He added: “She’s done a few shows before when she was at Hadrian Primary School. She was Jasmine in Aladdin there and she played the same part when she did the show with Starset theatre group.

“She’s performed a few times at the Customs House with Starset but Northern Stage is even bigger so we’re all a bit nervous but very excited to see her.”

Annie is at Northern Stage at 7pm tonight and tomorrow and at 2pm and 7pm on Saturday.

To book tickets, go to www.northernstage.co.uk