Dudley theatre star Mia joins cast of Aladdin

Mia Richards will appear alongside a cast including former Conservative MP the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe and singer Mark Read from boyband A1.

She says she is 'over the moon' to be playing Princess Jasmine for the show's 32-performance run at Marina Theatre in Lowestoft this December.

The 20-year-old, who has just completed her first year at Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) in Guildford, is no stranger to the amateur stage.

She started her musical theatre journey in productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables at Ellowes Hall Sports College in Lower Gornal.

After leaving school she went on to audition and study for a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts at Birmingham Ormiston Academy, which saw her perform in shows such as Little Women and Spring Awakening.

Mia has also appeared on stage with West End stars including Bonnie Langford and Samantha Spiro after a successful audition for an evening to celebrate the work of composer Stephen Sondheim at Yvonee Arnaud Theatre in Guildford.

She also studied at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Arts Educational School in London for a year before securing a place at PPA in Guildford where she begins her second year next month.

Her dream is to land a West End role or be part of a professional touring production when she graduates.

But Mia, from Lower Gornal, says she is delighted to have landed her first paid role just one year into her degree course.

"We've got an agency at college that puts us forward for various roles. We had a company come in to hold auditions for different shows.

"I had a few recalls and then I found out I had got the role of Princess Jasmine. I was over the moon. I'm so happy," said Mia.

She will be meeting the rest of the cast for a publicity day on September 18 and rehearsals will then begin on December 1 ahead of the opening night less than two weeks later.

"It's very exciting and I'm looking forward to getting started. It's great to be paid for doing what you love.

"I've never wanted to do anything else. There is nothing quite like being on stage and hearing the audience applaud at the end," said Mia, who says her favourite show is Phantom of the Opera.

Her proud father Mark Richards, 51, said: "We’re delighted because it’s her first paid theatre role, hopefully the first of many.

"It’s really expensive for us as a family because PPA is a private theatre school. Without the help of Mia’s grandparents it wouldn’t be possible and she hopes to repay their commitment and faith in her ability by making a career in musical theatre.

"I’m a Wolves season ticket holder and I would love to see her sing on the pitch, Katherine Jenkins style, before the team walk out."

Widdecombe will star as the regal and authoritative Empress of China in the family pantomime.

MP for Maidstone between 1987 and 1997 and for Maidstone and the Weald between 1997 and 2010 she is more recently known for her explosive appearance on the BBC Saturday night favourite, Strictly Come Dancing.

While popstar Read, known for his group's singles Take on Me, Caught in the Middle and Same Old Brand New You, will play the title character of Aladdin.