AN aspiring young actress from Barley will play the leading role in a musical at the Cambridge Corn Exchange next month. Lucy Arnold, 15, of Smiths End Lane, Barley, will appear in Annie the Musical from July 12-15. Lucy was given the part after attendin

AN aspiring young actress from Barley will play the leading role in a musical at the Cambridge Corn Exchange next month.

Lucy Arnold, 15, of Smiths End Lane, Barley, will appear in Annie the Musical from July 12-15.

Lucy was given the part after attending auditions in Cambridge.

"I was called back several times and was judged on my singing, acting and dancing," she said.

Lucy, who is a member of the DLJ school of dance at St Francis' College in Letchworth, has been dancing since she was five years old and said she would like to become a dance teacher in the future.

She has been rehearsing for Annie for the past two months.

"The rehearsals have been very intense, but I'm confident it will go smoothly on the night," she said.

Classic hits such as Tomorrow, It's A Hard Knock Life and Easy Street will feature in the production.

"My favourite song to perform is It's A Hard Knock Life because I'm doing it with other children and it's got lots of energy."

Lucy said she has really enjoyed the experience so far.

"I have made lots of new friends who are interested in the same things as me."

Lucy who attends St Francis' College in Letchworth, has just auditioned for a role in her school's production of Oliver and is waiting to hear whether she has got a part.

She said of Annie: "It's a lively production."

# For tickets call the Box Office on 01223 357851.

Performances are at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and tickets cost between £10-£14.50 or £35 for a family of four or under-16s or senior citizens £8.

# For more details visit the website at www.cornex.co.uk for more information.

# The Cambridge Corn Exchange is giving away two tickets for Saturday, July 15 at 7.30pm.

All you have to do is answer the following question:

Where did auditions for Annie the Musical take place?

Send your answer to The Crow, Heath House, Princes Mews, Royston, Herts, SG8 9RT, by July 5.

FACT FILE

# The first performance of Annie was on August 10, 1976 at the Goodspeed Opera Theatre in East Haddam, Connecticut.

# April 21, 1977, was the first night of Annie at the Alvin Theatre on Broadway.

# Annie was made into a film in 1981 with Aileen Quinn starring as the red-haired orphan.