Schoolgirl set to tread the boards in high profile show
An East Kilbride star in the making is set to take to the stage with leading lights in showbiz.
Katie Francis was picked from hundreds of auditioning youngsters to be part of the cast for ‘Movies to Musicals’ in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall next month.
The Blacklaw Primary pupil will be singing, dancing and acting alongside Steps songstress Faye Tozer and former A1 band member Ben Adams.
And the 10-year-old will also perform alongside West End stalwart Kerry Ellis.
Proud mum Fiona, who is originally from Gardenhall but now lives in Blantyre, told the News: “Katie has always been a little performer.
“She’s been dancing since she was three and attends the Valerie Brown School of Dance in Hamilton.
“She is really excited about the ‘Movies to Musicals’ show. She absolutely loves musicals and will probably know most of the songs.”
But it’s not the first time the P6 pupil has rubbed shoulders with the stars.
She was a body double in the 2018 smash Netflix show ‘Outlaw King’ which was filmed across Scotland and told the story of Robert the Bruce.
Katie shadowed child actress Josie O’Brien who took on the role of Marjorie, the daughter of Bruce, played by Chris Pine.
Fiona added: “That was an absolutely amazing experience for her.”
This time round Katie – a pupil of the Stellar Theatre Company and the Vivace Theatre School in Glasgow – will be joining the cast belting out classic movie soundtracks and favourite and well-loved musical songs with a live orchestra.
As one of the youngest, getting through was no mean feat for the school girl.
Fiona, who now lives in Blantyre, told us how the auditions took place over two days, adding “it wasn’t easy”.
She added: “The rest of the youngsters were all high school-age or older, so we couldn’t be prouder.
Fiona and dad Peter, who grew up in West Mains, will be there cheering on Katie on February 21 along with her little brother, Arran.
She said: “I am really excited about the Movie to Musicals show and I can’t wait to get started – it will be one of the biggest stages I have been on.
“It was great fun working on the Outlaw King film set, it was something totally new. When I grow up I definitely want to be a performer. I just love everything about it.”