A TALENTED Gourock schoolgirl has spoken of her excitement as she prepares to take on her biggest role yet this Christmas.

Emily Barnes will follow the yellow brick road as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the Scottish Events Campus’ Lomond Auditorium this month.

The 15-year-old was delighted to secure the starring role in the show, which is being produced by the Theatre School of Scotland.

Emily has been training at the school since its Greenock campus launched in August last year, and has since joined advanced classes at its Glasgow studios.

Having featured in a supporting role in last year’s production of Aladdin, she decided to audition for Dorothy to gain some experience.

Emily told the Tele: “I was so shocked to get it. I didn’t expect it at all.

“I thought I would just be a dancer but I auditioned for Dorothy anyway – and here I am.

“I like to get right into the character.

“A lot of pantos are very Disney princess, but Dorothy’s not a princess.

“I’m looking forward to putting my own spin on her.”

Emily embarked on her journey in musical theatre at the age of six, taking part in shows at the Albany and attending singing lessons with Suzie O’Donoghue at Songbird Studios.

(Image: TSOS)

She is now working towards a career in the industry, and hopes to continue her studies at the Theatre College of Scotland after school.

The Clydeview Academy pupil said: “I just fell in love with it.

“I started becoming more passionate about it and that’s when I decided I wanted to take it further.

“It’s definitely something I want to take further and pursue a career in.

“I’d love to work on cruise ships and work in performing arts.”

Emily’s dad Alan added: “We’re just super proud of her.

“She wakes up in the morning and sings. She sings at every opportunity.

“She’s worked so hard for it and she aims high.

(Image: TSOS) “We’ve told her in the past that sometimes she will have to take a bit of failure, but she responds well to that and goes again.

“When she gets her script, you don’t see her for days. She knows everybody’s parts before they do.”

Rehearsals for the pantomime are well underway, with two casts set to alternate during the five-day run at the SEC.

Emily – who features in the ‘Emerald City’ cast – will slip on the famous ruby slippers for five performances between December 19 and 23.

Tickets for the show are on sale now at sec.co.uk.