Elspeth in the Aslan gang

Elspeth, who lives in Havant, is one of the company for their production of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe at the CFT this Christmas (until December 31).

And, like everyone else, she’s having a ball.

“I have done acting from a really young age and really enjoyed it. I think I was about five or six. My dad did drama for a church we were at, and I used to go and watch shows with my grandparents. And I used to put on mini-plays with my brother in the garden. Whenever there were drama workshops, I used to go along to them.”

But the highlight a couple of years ago was getting involved with the Youth Theatre, initially through a satellite group which they ran at Leigh Park: “My performing arts teacher told me about it. A couple of friends joined with me, and I really enjoyed the first one and just stayed. You meet lots of nice people. It’s really good - and it teaches you new skills. I was taking BTEC drama at the time, and I was learning lots of stuff that I was not learning for the curriculum.

“I would love to be an actor, but I know how tough the business can be. I just want to be in the performing arts, whether I am a performer or back stage or putting on events. I would just love to be involved in it all.”

Elpeth has been on the CFT stage before with her school, but this will be her first time on the CFT stage with the Youth Theatre - and she’s delighted to have secured two parts in the show: Betty the housekeeper and also part of the Aslan gang.

“Betty is one of four housemaids. She is quite smiley, quite fun. She is excited that the Pevensey children are staying there.”

In the Aslan gang, Elspeth is playing a bird of prey: “We are quite proud characters. We are quite tall. We are always standing up high and with our shoulders back!”

Tickets on 01243 781312.