Eloise steps in to the spotlight.

Byline: VAL JAVIN

TEENAGER Eloise Gledhill will be centre stage later this month in a production of one of the best loved musicals, The Sound Of Music.

Sitting in the audience urging her on will be her proud parents, Eileen and Richard Gledhill plus her 16 year-old brother, Tom.

Doubtless other members of 14-year-old Eloise's family will be at the Victoria theatre in Halifax to see her play the role of Louisa, one of the singing Von Trapp family. Eloise, who is from Kirkheaton, is delighted to have been cast in the production by Halifax Amateur Operatic Society. It will be her debut performance with the company. "I was thrilled to be offered the role of Louisa, as there was a lot of competition and I am really excited to be part of this production," she said.

"It is my first role with the HAOS and I am really enjoying the rehearsals. I have found everyone very friendly and welcoming". Though it is her first appearance with Halifax, Eloise has some previous stage experience. She played an orphan in a Huddersfield Amateur Operatic Society production of Annie a few years ago and will be appearing in Flash Dance later in the year in Wakefield.

It's no surprise to see Eloise in the spotlight on stage. She has been dancing since she was four and still dances four times a week at the Adele Taylor School in Dundas Street, Huddersfield, where she took her first dance steps 10 years ago. Eloise, who goes to King James's School in Almondbury, She also has a place at the prestigious Louise Browne Ballet Scholarship Centre in York where she attends each Saturday. Though she has a talent for ballet, Eloise says her favourite style is tap and her skill in that has won her several championships. She has her sights set on dance college and wants to make theatre and dance her career.

Her brother, Tom is as proud as can be of his sister as she is of him because he too has achieved much success.

Tom's talent is in sport and though he plays cricket and football, crown green bowling is where he really shines.

Tom's regular team is Kirkheaton Conservatives but he's also playing for his county in the Yorkshire Junior team.

Two teenagers for the Gledhill family to be proud of then and there will doubtless be plenty of family and friends watching both of them succeed this summer.

The Sound of Music is on at the Victoria Theatre Halifax from Wednesday July 18 to Sunday July 22

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* DEBUT ROLE: Kirkheaton teenager Eloise Gledhill set to appear in The Sound Of Music