Sophie the star in Bard’s play

AN actress has been picked to play the leading role in a Romeo and Juliet-style play as part of a new festival of love for Valentines.

Sophie Coward, 21, from Bollington recently graduated from the BA Acting course at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and has just finished touring the North with Quantum Theatre.

Her interest in performing was sparked when she played a small role in Wedding Photo, a historical play by Dr John Coope for the Bollington Festival in 2005. Since then she has had roles on BBC’s Doctors and Secrets and Words as well as performing with local theatre companies.

Now she’s been picked to play Miriam, the romantic lead in stage play Sababa – Northern Souls for Manchester’s Chorlton Festival of Love. The show celebrates unity and connections between Jews and Muslims in communities.

Sophie said: “Living in Bollington, it would be hard to ignore all the creativity. I started acting at the Bollington Festival and was a member of the Bollington Festival players.

What first drew me to ‘Sababa - Northern Souls’ was the message. It promotes love and acceptance between two very different communities.”

The play is on the evenings of Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13 at St Werburgh’s Church. ●● SOPHIE Coward is to star in Romeo and Juliet