TWENTY-year-old Kate Denny from Failsworth is set to perform on the West End stage next week as part of a student takeover of London’s Leicester Square Theatre,

The talented former Failsworth High School pupil, who is a final year student at Liverpool Theatre School, is tipped to become one of the next musical theatre stage sensations.

During the West End showcase on Wednesday (March 20), the budding young star is getting opportunity to show off her singing, acting and dancing skills in front of some of the industry’s top talent scouts.

Kate, who is on track to graduate from Liverpool Theatre School this summer with a diploma in professional musical theatre, said: “I’m so excited about performing in London alongside some of my best mates. It’s going to be a fantastic experience to be able to put our training into practice on a West End stage.”

Maxine Ellis, principal at Liverpool Theatre School, which has recently received scholarship funding from Andrew Lloyd Webber, added: “Taking over a West End theatre will give our final year students an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills in front of some of the industry’s top talent spotters. It’s no longer the case that young performers must train in London if they want to have a successful stage career.

“Kate is a hardworking performer with real talent and I am confident she will impress the industry influencers who will be in the audience during the West End showcase. She really is one to watch when it comes to the next generation of musical theatre stars.”

Liverpool Theatre School has trained performers who have gone on to appear in hit shows from the West End to Las Vegas with more than 90 per cent of graduates going on to a professional stage career or further education. Alumni include Carina Gillespie, who is appearing in Wicked in the West End, Tommy Sherlock, who is starring in Tenors of Rock in Las Vegas and Alex Patmore, who has just landed a lead role in Blood Brothers.

Liverpool Theatre School, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, is only one of two places in the North West to offer the prestigious Trinity College London Diploma in both Professional Musical Theatre and Professional Acting.