A PERFORMING arts student from Bovey Tracey has landed her first theatre role – in the heart of London’s West End.

Grace Moorhouse has joined the new cast of Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre as a ‘swing’ covering for eight of the ensemble girls.

She was due to graduate from Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom this summer but has left early to start her career.

She said: ‘I love being on the West End stage. Mamma Mia! is a great musical to get your foot in the door. It’s a really good job to have, especially before I’ve even graduated.

‘When I got to go on stage it was amazing. I got to swing on opening day. It’s very rare a swing goes on that early, and I knew a week before so I could prepare myself. My family was in the opening audience and they were a fantastic support – mum was crying!’

Grace said there are seven swings in the cast, covering holidays and injuries.

She added: ‘We have to be at the theatre every night and on standby, just in case anyone hurts themselves or anyone from the ensemble is called up to be an understudy.

‘We can find out at the last minute – it can be very chaotic but being a swing is a great thing to have on your CV. We’re really appreciated in the industry.’

Mamma Mia!, which features the iconic music of Abba, first premiered in 1999 and has been adapted into a hit film starring Meryl Streep, with a sequel released last year.

Grace turned 20 in April – the same month as the 20th anniversary of the show.

She said: ‘I was literally born two weeks after the show opened in London in 1999 and am the youngest girl on the stage. There’s also a boy from Laine who’s 19 and he was born in 1999 too. We’re the babies of the cast.’

Grace is originally from Burnley and grew up in Bovey Tracey. She attended Chudleigh Primary School and South Dartmoor Community College, where she was heavily involved in the dance and drama departments at SDCC. She also attended Italia Conti in Plymouth and Stagecoach classes in Newton Abbot and Torquay.

She said: ‘Before I went to Laine I was definitely more of a dancer. But then I found my voice at Laine and they really pushed me with my singing. I still have a massive passion for dance but now enjoy singing too. In the future it’d be great to have a principal role in a musical.

‘Before going to college I had so many ambitions and goals. Now it’s more real, it’s a case of just get a job and take it and work your way through. I always said I’d love to be on the West End and perform every night but didn’t want to jinx it.’

Grace started auditioning for theatre roles in January.

She said: ‘Mamma Mia! was my first audition. I was very lucky to get in. Before I got the job I was like, gosh, I’m not sure about listening to Abba eight times a week. But now I’ve started and am part of the process I love it. It’s a really, really good story and such a feelgood show.

‘The auditions were very surreal. There were six rounds and it was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I broke my foot three days before the final audition and had to sit out the dance round, but luckily I got in and my foot’s sorted.

‘I’ve signed a one-year contract and in six months’ time I’ll start auditioning again, or possibly try for another year at Mamma Mia!’

Mum Fran, dad Gary and sister Bethany were in the audience for Grace’s first West End performance.

Older sister Bethany is also in show business, presently working as a director on cruise ships.

Fran said: ‘We were all there to support Grace and it was a very special day. It was a surreal but euphoric experience and, at the end, all three of us just hugged each other. It was very emotional and I did cry seeing her up there on the stage.

‘There was so much emotion watching it, it’s such an amazing feelgood show. It made all the hard work they’ve gone through, all the commitment and sacrifices, worthwhile.

‘When Grace and Bethany said they wanted dance classes I was doing it to keep them off the streets and as a hobby. I was never a pushy parent but local dance schools really do prepare these kids for professional training.

‘I absolutely love Mamma Mia! It’s a show, especially for women of a certain age, that makes you feel amazing.

‘I even bought the t-shirt while I was up there!’