by Jo Stephenson

THERE was supposed to be an age limit on auditionees for the New Penny Theatre's production. No one under the 16 would be allowed to perform in the amateur" group's version of popular musical Sweet Charity.

But when they saw 14-year-old Lauren Dale they just had to make exception. Lauren, of Watford Road, Croxley Green, impressed the company so much with her first ever audition that she was offered a part in the show to be staged at the Swan Theatre next month.

Director Jeff Eales said the company was prepared to bend the rules for the teenager because she is so talented.
He said: "Lauren has proved to valuable cast member for New Theatre Company - She is up to the standard of an 20 year-old.

She was able to learn her complicated dance audition piece with ease.
She looked, acted and sang the competently and certainly did not look out of place. She was quite simply outstanding.
Lauren was thrilled to be given an opportunity to appear in the chorus of the show, which follows fortunes of a dance hall hostess looking for love.

She said: "I went to the audition because I wanted to get more experience on stage - I have never done kind of thing before.
'I was really surprised because I probably not going to get in.

“I wanted to see what auditions were like as I had never done one in my life."

The budding star is a pupil at Rickmansworth School, which was recently awarded -forming arts status. Her school is so keen to support her that a coach-load fellow pupils and teachers will be at the opening night.

Lauren, who has been going to dance classes since the age of three, trains at the Collective Dance and Drama School in Rick- mansworth five days a week.

In the midst of rehearsals and costume-fittings for Sweet Charity she learned she had gained an A in GCSE Dance, having taken the qualification a year early.

She said: "I was really excited and pleased. I was really nervous because I didn't think I’d done that well”

She will continue studying dance and drama and hopes to make a career out performing. At the moment her dream is to be a backing dancer for one of her pop idols –Christina Aguilera, Justin TimberIake or Beyonce.

In the meantime she is concentrating on perfecting her moves for Sweet Charity, which features energetic dance routines and classic songs such as Big Spender and The Rhythm of Life.

Lauren said: "I am quite nervous because there is a lot to remember but I do think it is going to be really good:'

Sweet Charity runs from Wednesday, September 17, to Saturday, September 20, at the Wycombe Swan Theatre in High Wycombe. To book, telephone the box office on 01494 512000 or visit www .newpenny.co.uk for more information.