Holly lands a 
role with London music company

Holly McConville (15) is the only person from Northern Ireland selected to be in the cast of The Ragged Child which will be performed in the Rose Theatre in Kingston in July.

Her mum Karen said: “We’d been encouraged by a director who had worked with Holly through Musical Theatre For Youth to put her forward for the National Youth Music Theatre.

“We saw they had three shows on over the summer. We took Holly over to London for an audition which took the form of a one day workshop involving singing, dancing and acting.

“She came out of it and the next day we got a call to say she’d got a recall. We were back in London the following week. Following her recall they chose her for a part in the show The Ragged Child.

“A lot of the other kids auditioning with Holly were or had been in West End shows.”

Karen added: “It’s been a bit of mission. But then you read about who all has been involved with the National Youth Music Theatre - the likes of Jude Law, Matt Lucas and Amy Nuttall. It’s one of the best musical companies in the world according to Andrew Lloyd Webber.

“In saying that it’s quite costly travelling back and forth so we’re going to try to get her a wee bit of sponsorship and raise a bit of money.

“She’s to go out again in April for four days, then a couple of weekends in May and nearly two weeks in July.”

The show will be performed in the Rose Theatre in Kingston on July 23, 24, 26 and 27 and at the Cambridge Arts Festival on July 29.

Lismore pupil Holly will miss a week off school prior to Easter. “We’ve be in contact with the school and they’re very supportive,” said Karen.

She added: “It’s all she’s ever wanted to do. All she’s ever talked about is acting and singing.

“There’s times I’ve tried to put her off because it’s such a hard industry to get into, but she has a great attitude, takes everything in her stride and is totally unphased by it all.”

Holly is involved with MADS and Musical Theatre for Youth and will perform as Veruca Salt in Little Starz forthcoming Willy Wonka-inspired production.