Well done to Eliza Walker from Rushmere St Andrew who will play the role of Wendy in this year’s Ipswich Regent Theatre pantomime Peter Pan.

Eliza, 21, beat 28 other hopefuls to the play role at open auditions on 25 September at Ipswich Regent.

Having just graduated from a performing arts course with Evolution Foundation College in Colchester, this will be her first professional role to launch her stage career at a venue close to home.

Auditionees were asked to perform extracts from the script in front of a panel of judges, with six finalists recalled for a second audition to then perform two songs from the show.

Councillor Sophie Connelly, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Culture and Customers says:

“It’s so wonderful that a call for local young talent to perform in this year’s pantomime at Ipswich Regent Theatre attracted so much interest.

“With six potential Wendy’s to choose from it really shows that the love of theatre and performance is alive and well in the next generation of stage stars. Well done Eliza on getting the part, we look forward to seeing you singing and dancing on stage this Christmas with the fantastic cast of Peter Pan.”

Eliza Walker, who will play Wendy in Peter Pan at Ipswich Regent Theatre later this year, adds:

“I feel so overwhelmed yet hugely grateful. The answer was 100 per cent yes when the call came through offering me the part! Hopefully this will be the start of a long career in theatre, I’m so looking forward to getting started on rehearsals and performing on stage at Ipswich Regent Theatre as Wendy in this years’ Christmas pantomime!”

As Wendy, Eliza will join Matt Lapinskas as Peter Pan, Darren Day as Captain Hook, Mike ‘Squeaky’ McClean as Smee with Tinker bell, the Lost Children, Tiger Lily, Nana the dog and of course naughty Croc!

Of the audition, Producer for Enchanted Guy Pascall says:

“We had a really great day at the theatre auditioning for Wendy. The panel had such a difficult decision to make as the standard was so high. There were so many talented local performers, but we’re super excited to be working with Eliza this Christmas – she is just perfect for Wendy!

“It’s fantastic that we were able to secure local talent for this opportunity, to perform in the region’s biggest Christmas pantomime alongside our professional cast, which this year includes West End legend Darren Day!”  

Performances start on Friday 16 December until 31 December 2022.