Aoife's Maria dream still alive.

Byline: By LYNN JOLLY

THIS is the stunning Irish student who could take the theatre world by storm if she wins a TV talent contest.

Aoife Mulholland, from Sal thill in Co Galway, is one of 10 finalists in the BBC1 Saturday night show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? with the winner set to land the dream role of rebel nun Maria in Andrew-Lloyd Webber's West End production of The Sound Of Music.

The 28-year-old said: "I come from a very musical family. Every year we would meet on Christmas night and all the kids were encouraged to perform. I think it was then that I realised I loved singing."

The role of Maria was made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1960s movie which beat all box office records at the time.

In the film she leaves an Austrian convent to look after the house of Captain Von Trapp and his seven children.

Aoife, who is studying for an MA in Acting and Musical Theatre at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, said she is similar to Maria because she is playful and does not take herself too seriously.

She added: "I speak my mind but know when to hold back. I also handle big things in my life in my stride but the little things get me into a right tizzy."

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