A young actress from Chicksands says she is excited and nervous to be making her debut performance on the London stage tonight in the musical Bugsy Malone.

Thea Lamb – a pupil at the Robert Bloomfield Academy in Shefford – will be taking on the role of Blousey Brown, a sassy young dame who has her sights set on Hollywood.

The 12-year-old was talent spotted for the role through the Hitchin-based Emil Dale’s School of Performing Arts.

Thea said: “It’s really exciting. I haven’t been in any musicals before. My mum got me involved in acting – she’s really supportive.

“It’s really fun being on stage with the make up and the outfits I wear, and I’ve made lots of really good friends.

“It’s definitely my dream to become a professional actress.”

Thea, pictured right, will perform in 54 shows, sharing the role with two other young actresses at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith.

Dad Chris said: “I’m really proud of her. She did fantastically well to get the role alongside two other brilliant young actresses who have experience performing in the West End.

“Thea herself doesn’t have a great deal of experience in theatre. This is her first big role.”

The performances, which began at the weekend, will run until Saturday, August 1.

For more information, visit www.lyric.co.uk.