BEING part of BATS Next Gen has been an absolutely brilliant experience, and I’ve found a whole bunch of new friends of all ages, ranging from seven to 18.

I was encouraged to audition last May after watching my friends Sean (Granahan) and Connor (McGrane) in Rent, and was lucky enough to be given a part in the wonderful production of Cats.

Currently, I’m playing Sir Walter Raleigh and Lily Gage in Fawkes: The Quiet Guy, and have also called on my 12 years of dance experience to choreograph a couple of the routines. This is something I have wanted to do for a while now, and I was so thrilled to be given the opportunity.

I recently took on the role of Nancy in my school production of Oliver!, and received lots of support from the BATS Next Gen members, many of whom came to watch the production.

I really don’t think I would have had to confidence to take on Nancy without the BATS Next Gen family behind me.

BNG rehearsals are always hard work, but so much fun. It’s great to get a break from GCSEs, and to spend time with such a lovely talented crowd of people.

My birthday is the day after the last performance of Fawkes and I’m really excited to begin celebrating my birthday with some of the best people I’ve ever known!

The rest of the cast is absolutely AMAZING, ranging from the extravagant Eleanor who is playing the hostess, Catherine Wheel, to Holly who is playing the Executioner!

*Emily and the company will perform Fawkes the Quiet Guy by Kjartan Poskitt, the story of the famous gunpowder plot, in association with Samuel French Limited, in Central Studio, Basingstoke on November 7 and 8 at 7.30pm.

The matinee performance will take place at 2.30pm on Saturday, November 8.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01256 418318 or online at centralstudio.co.uk.