Westcliff actress returns - Leigh-on-Sea

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Maisie Smith is starring in her first ever musical debut with her role as Fran in Strictly Ballroom, playing in Westcliff from March 20 to 25.

A TV soap star from Westcliff is set to star in a musical coming to the Cliffs Pavilion this March.

Maisie Smith is starring in her first ever musical debut with her role as Fran in Strictly Ballroom, playing in Westcliff from March 20 to 25.

The former Chalkwell Junior School pupil shot to fame when she was just six, playing EastEnders character Tiffany Dean – the youngest daughter of Bianca Jackson.

Ms Smith’s new role will see her reunited with Kevin Clifton, with whom she was crowned champion in the Strictly Come Dancing Children in Need Special 2019.

She said she is looking forward to working with Mr Clifton again: “We got on so well and that was the start of my Strictly journey.

“It’s so nice to be dancing together again, and this time we’ve got a whole tour rather than just a week.”

Strictly Ballroom The Musical tells the story of Scott Hastings (played by Mr Clifton), a talented, arrogant and rebellious young ballroom dancer and dance partner Fran (played by Ms Smith), a beginner with no moves at all. The unlikely pair gather the courage to defy both convention and discover that, to be winners, the steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom.

“It combines all my favourite things: Singing, dancing, acting, sequins and a bit of glitz and glamour,” said Ms Smith.

“It’s such an amazing role to play in my first ever musical. It’s such a feel-good show and everyone will come out of the theatre feeling the love and the excitement. And of course, it’s got such great dancing and music in it – Latin flavours, modern tracks and some real classics.”

As a 14-year-old, Ms Smith played the title role in Annie at school in Leigh, but this is her first professional stage outing, and what better place than her hometown of Westcliff to re-tread the boards?

Tickets available at: see www.southendtheatres.org.uk

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