A BOLTON School pupil is advancing her acting career after being invited to join the British Youth Music Theatre Company for their 2019 season, following gruelling nationwide auditions.

Talented Nathalie Rippingale, 13, beat off competition from more than 1,000 would-be actors and actresses to win a part in A.L.I.C.E. in Wanderlust, which will be produced at the Laurence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield.

Although this was Nathalie’s first official audition, she is no stranger to treading the boards.

She has performed on several occasions at Blackburn’s Empire Theatre with The Bernese School of Theatre Dance and Drama. She has also starred as Frenchie in a Bolton School production of Grease.

Nathalie, who lives in Darwen, said: “The standard at the auditions was extremely high and I am honoured to have been selected as a member of this year’s company.

"I’m really looking forward to meeting other cast members from all around the UK and to showing the audience what a girl from a small town in Lancashire can do!”

Written by Ellis Kerkhoven, with music by Adam Gerber, the show is described as “a highly innovative new musical exploring humankind’s eternal impulse to journey into the unknown”.

The musical will feature a powerful, original score combining contemporary electronic music with a live choral soundscape.

It will be performed on August 30 and 31, and tickets are available online from thelbt.org or by calling the box office on 01484 430528.