A TALENTED skater put her university exams on hold to step into the spotlight and save the Waterfront’s end-of-year show from being left without a leading lady.

Hannah Gallacher took on the role in the Waterfront Ice Skating Club’s production of Dare to Dream after a fellow cast member suffered a broken ankle.

The 19-year-old not only had to learn her new part in less than a week, but she also had to do it in the midst of her university exams.

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Hannah starred in several performances of the sell-out show, which told the story of the lost princess Rapunzel and her magical hair.

Her cast mates and coaches helped her cope with a packed schedule that saw her sit three exams and appear in six shows in the space of just ten days.

Greenock Telegraph: A talented skater put her university exams on hold when she stepped into the spotlight to save the

Chemistry student Hannah said: “I woke up one morning the week before the show to a phone call and one of my friends, who’s a coach at the club, told me what had happened.

“She asked me to stand in and I thought it was way too soon for me because I had exams on the Monday and Wednesday of that week, as well as another exam the Friday after the show.

“I felt like it wasn’t my part to take, but there was no other way and I ended up in here all day on the Thursday and Friday before the show, learning the part.

“I was lucky that I had a whole team of people helping me and I just wanted to make sure the part was done right.

“It was a very sleepless week for me.

“Fingers crossed it’s all went well. I think it’s the most stressed I’ve ever been.”

Hannah’s performance was the second time in three years that someone has had to step into a major role of the club’s show at the last minute.

In 2021, club member Emma McConnachie was asked to skate a second part with only a single three-hour practice session after another cast member had a positive PCR test for Covid.

Hannah told the Telegraph that she was able to turn to Emma for advice when she faced the situation herself.

She said: “We couldn’t believe it had happened again but having Emma around was great because she was able to tell me that it could be done.

“I was terrified on the morning of the first performance, I woke up that morning and I don’t think I said more than five words to my mum before I left.

“When I got here everyone was jumping about and asking me lots of questions, it was a lot, but everyone was so helpful.

“This is potentially my last show. I tried to step away a bit more this year to prioritise university but that didn’t quite go to plan.

“I could see myself coaching in the future or doing something smaller, but certainly not this.

“I loved doing the shows and I enjoyed every single minute of it but I was so relieved when we were done.

“I don’t think I made any massive mistakes, and the other girls helped me cover up any wee slip ups.

“I love them all to bits but if another person goes down before a future show I think it’ll be someone else’s turn to step up and fill in!”

The Waterfront’s ice-skating co-ordinator, Kayleigh Munro, praised Hannah’s incredible efforts.

She said: “It’s so unfortunate to have someone pick up an injury before the show but we were so lucky to have Hannah.

“She stepped up in a big way and we’re really grateful to her for that.”