Young actress Zabrina Norry has been chosen to take part in a top London musical, writes Paul Warner.

The 16-year-old is sitting at her GCSE examinations at Cooper School, Bicester, next month, but is already preparing for her year-long stint at the Aldwych Theatre in the West End.

Zabrina's first acting role was in the musical Scrooge, at the Apollo Theatre, Oxford, six years ago. She landed the part after reading an advert for extras in the Oxford Mail.

The teenager has now been chosen to play one of the children in Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash-hit show Whistle Down the Wind, starting on May 8. Zabrina will also understudy Candy, played by Cat Simmons, one of the leading characters, who stumbles on an escaped convict she thinks is Jesus. The show is set in the American Deep South in the 1950s.

Zabrina, of Cosford Gardens, Bicester, said: "When they told me I got the part, I just laughed.

"If the person who plays the lead is ill or has a day off, I'll be out there on stage. I'm really looking forward to it."

Zabrina, who has studied with the Sylvia Young drama school in London for six years, said her first role in Scrooge helped to develop her love of acting. She added: "When I saw the advert in the Oxford Mail, I asked my mother whether I could go for it. She said, yes, and that was it."

Zabrina said starring in the West End musical would not interfere with her GCSE examinations which begin on May 22. She said she would take time off for her studies.

She added: "I always set out to do the best I can in everything I go for.

"I want to do well in my GCSEs, but I think after my exams I'll continue with the show until my contract ends next May. Then I'll decide whether to further my studies."

Her more recent roles include that of a backing singer for teenage soprano Charlotte Church during the Smash Hits party in December.

"It was great," said Zabrina. "I got to meet all the top groups, including Five and Westlife."

Story date: Wednesday 12 April

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