Kentish Express Ashford & District - What's On
KENT’S NEW WEST END TALENT
“You’ve got to follow your instinct and not give up.” That’s the best advice to wannabe actors, according to Kent actor Courtney Stapleton. She should know, as the 21-year-old is currently starring in the box office smash hit Mamma Mia in London’s West End. After finishing her GCSEs, the former Hazlitt Youth Theatre group member decided against sixthform and signed up to drama school. Now, just a few short years later, that decision is paying off as, eight times a week, the Staplehurst girl performs in front of sell-out audiences in London’s Novello Theatre. “For my first job,
it’s an absolute dream,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for better - I really couldn’t.” Performing in the ensemble and playing understudy to the role of Ali, Courtney is loving every minute of the show, which is a jukebox musical based on ABBA’s timeless pop songs. She went through five stages of auditions to get the role and now has an agent on board to help get parts. “It was quite a stressful audition process,” she explains. “It’s one of those industries you go into knowing it is going to be hard. “You go to the first round and there are hundreds of people auditioning for parts in the show – luck does have to be on your side.” Luck may play a part but Courtney’s talent is clear. “Part of it is my look,” she adds. “I am mixed race, with a big Afro and good personality. “You’ve got to be fun and a bit feisty – I think I brought that to the table. “If you don’t believe in yourself, then they’re not going to.” Courtney, who moved to London aged 18 to be nearer her theatre school, will be in the Mamma Mia show until next June. She savours the big audiences and urges any young actor to follow their dream. “You’ve just got to stick with it – there’s a lot of rejection along the way,” she warns. “I auditioned for 10 drama schools and only got into one. “You never know when your break is going to come but you will get there in the end.”