A 60-MEMBER cast, chorus and crew earned rapturous applause during the six-show run of West Side Story that ended at Durham's Gala Theatre, on Saturday.
It was the first big production of the Gala Theatre Stage School, but it promises not to be the last that will be heard of principals David Hepple, 18, and former Spennymoor Comprehensive School pupil Charlene Fairish.
Mr Hepple, from Seaham, is taking up a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), in London, in September. He has experience working with professional touring productions and recently completed a BTec National Diploma course in drama at New College, Durham.
Miss Fairish, 16, who has danced in several professional shows at North-East theatres, including Evita at The Sunderland Empire, hopes to follow in his footsteps.
She intends to take up a place on a performing arts course at New College, Durham, in September, and also hopes to go to RADA.
Other West Side Story principals include Lynsey Day, who teaches youngsters aged 11 to 16 for the Northern Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Christopher Mitchell, who has been offered a place at the Guildford Conservatoire.
The stage school's junior section will perform Ocean's World at the Gala Theatre, on Wednesday, starting at 7.15pm.
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