The winner of this year’s Stone’s Got Talent competition has landed a role in the musical Beauty And The Beast which will be staged in Stoke-on-Trent this autumn.
St Dominic’s Priory School student Niki Gill was awarded the sought-after role of Mrs Potts having taken part in open auditions at Stone’s Rooftop Studios Pop School and Stage Academy (PSSA), which is putting on the glittering performance.
Principal Elaine Bird said: “It’s great to have Niki on board – there’s no doubting her talent and she’s going to be a real asset to our cast of established performers. I was lucky enough to be on the Stone’s Got Talent judging panel when Niki won this year and she really wowed the crowds.
“It’s great to bring another talented local youngster into the cast and give her the opportunity to further develop her performance skills.”
Niki originally showcased her impressive vocal range back in June during the second annual Stone’s Got Talent contest at Stone Festival, where she gave an unaccompanied rendition of the Adele song Someone Like You. The judging panel which, alongside Elaine, included Martin Joustra and Tim Wedgwood, praised her “beautiful, unique sound”.
Niki later signed up to join Rooftop Studios’ Saturday PSSA performing arts classes to help build her confidence and develop her performance skills.
The November production of the West End musical Beauty And The Beast is PSSA’s big 2011 show, with pupils aged from 2½ to 18 being given the chance to take part in an all-singing, all-dancing performance.
It will run at the newly refurbished Mitchell Memorial Theatre in Hanley on 17th, 18th and 19th November. For more information on the performances and how to secure tickets, or to find out more about Rooftop Studios and PSSA, visit www.rooftopstudios.co.uk
