Janette performing recently at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival recently
AN ENNISKILLEN born actress is taking the main role in a London theatre production this week, that features stars from BBC shows, Eastenders and Call the Midwife.
Janette McManus has taken the role of Emily in ‘The Lost Dragon’ at The Harlow Playhouse in Essex, Greater London, since yesterday (Tuesday).
The residency runs until Sunday, April 7, with two shows each day.
Janette was spotted by the manager of the Harlow Playhouse when she performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last summer, when she was invited to audition for this part.
“I was told in November that the show was definitely going ahead and that they wanted me for the role,” she said this week.
“The rehearsal period has been intense, as we’ve been rehearsing for only nine days before we open. It has been an exciting challenge to learn lines, songs and dances within this condensed time frame.”
The story concerns ten year old Emily, who is set to go on holiday with her father, Jim, a local reporter. Meanwhile in Siberia, a strange creature is discovered preserved deep in the ice. As the world’s press gather
to see it unveiled, Jim gets the career break of a lifetime.
Janette’s character is the ‘ten year old heroine’, who befriends the Lost Dragon, and embarks on an adventure to save the world from evil forces.
On Saturday past, the cast and crew moved from the rehearsal rooms to have their technical rehearsal where special effects, and the dragon were brought in. Included in the cast are Eastenders actor Ricky Groves, and Call the Midwife star Laura Main.
“I have learnt so much about the craft of acting over the past week,” continued Janette.
“Especially from watching the more experienced actors work. This has definitely been one of the best experiences of my life.”