A child actor has joined the cast of a musical for her West End debut.

Amelie Leatherland, 12, from Brighton, is performing on stage in School of Rock, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical based on the 2003 film starring Jack Black.

For her acting and dance training, she went to Wendy Whatling Dance School and Drama Queens theatre classes, both in Brighton.

Her previous theatre performances include Aladdin at the Windmill Theatre in Hove and Guys and Dolls and Oliver!at The Barn in Southwick.

She said: “I went for my audition for the School of Rock musical in October last year.

“I was so excited because a year before that I went to see the show myself.

“I was so inspired by it and wanted to be in it.

“For my first audition, I was nervous, but I got more confident as I went on.

“It was very exciting because the variety and the talent was insane.

“The musicians were incredible and people’s voices were too.

“As they went on, it got harder and in the final round it was only the best of the best there.

“I was told I got the part on December 8.

“Next came the rehearsals, which were very long days but so much fun.

“As I live relatively far away from London, I stay in the School of Rock house.

“Being there adds to the experience and builds up our friendships.

“Ever since I was little I have loved singing and dancing and acting.

“So when this opportunity came around I had to take it.

“Being on stage, in costume, with all the lights shining, is just magical.

“It makes me feel so happy and the adrenaline adds excitement to my day.

“Everything about it means the world to me.”

The show is currently booking until January 13 next year at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in Covent Garden in London.

The musical is showing every day of the week from now until then, except Tuesdays.

Tickets for the show are available from schoolofrockthemusical.com.