Abbie Holt chosen to perform in Jane Eyre the musical

Abbie Holt

Abbie Holt has been selected to appear in the musical rendition of classical novel Jane Eyre in Preston later this year after a gruelling three-and-a-half-hour audition.

The fifteen-year-old from Norden, who has been dancing at Singleton’s Dance Academy for eleven years, was made aware of the auditions through her dance teacher, Gemma.

Abbie, who is also a grade six singer, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get started. Hopefully this will give me the chance to show people what I can do and be the start of what I really want to do with my life when I leave school."

Her dad, Mike Holt, added: “We’re quite proud of Abbie. Dance is her passion, so hopefully this will be the first of many auditions. The audition was actually a call back so she’ll be part of an ensemble and dancing a duet with a 23-year old.

“She’s passed all her exams with distinctions and does really well.

"It’s great that her school, Oulder Hill, are so supportive of her too.”

Abbie was also voted ‘Best Dancer’ at Oulder Hill at the 2016 annual awards ceremony.

She currently holds IDTA qualifications in ballet, tap, modern jazz, up to and including an intermediate level, an IDTA stage six in musical theatre and up to gold bar two in street dance.

The talented dancer, who has featured in several pantomimes at Gracie Fields Theatre and Oldham Coliseum, will also be attending a summer dance school for a week in August, where she’ll have the opportunity to show off her art to casting directors. She has also featured in two musical performances, ‘Mad about the Musicals’ and ‘Star Crossed’, an outdoor adaptation of West Side Story.

Dance teacher Gemma commented: “We’re all very excited for Abbie. She’s always been a good dancer; she struggles to walk home with her trophies after competitions.

"This is the first audition she’s had on her own and it was a long one.

"These days you need to be a triple threat, be able to dance, act and sing, and Abbie showed she most certainly is one.”

The innovative re-imagining of Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece captures the full emotional force of the original novel, appealing equally to those already familiar with 'Jane Eyre' and to anyone experiencing the story for the first time.

With sparkling dialogue and beautiful costumes, this is a full-scale, fast-moving production.

Tracing the remarkable history of the most famous and well-loved heroine in English Literature, it steps into the world of 1840s Northern England as Jane’s fight against injustice unfolds.

Abbie will be performing in Jane Eyre at Preston Guild Hall & Charter Theatre between 4 and 7 October.