Hollyoaks and Over the Rainbow star Stephanie Davis makes surprise visit to Birkenhead Operatic Society’s rehearsals for The Sound of Music

Oct 31 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

HOLLYOAKS star Stephanie Davis made a surprise visit to rehearsals for Birkenhead Operatic Society’s forthcoming production of The Sound of Music.

Stephanie, who plays Sinead in the soap, starred in the society’s 2001 production of the same show when she was eight.

She played Gretl, the youngest member of the Von Trapp family.

Stephanie was recently a finalist in the BBC’s Over The Rainbow TV series, which searched for an actress to play Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new West End production of The Wizard of Oz.

Stephanie passed on some tips to the two youngest stars of the show – Sofia Lawton, four, and Emma Hall, seven.

The two girls are sharing the role of Gretl when Birkenhead Operatic Society – known as BOST – performs The Sound of Music at the Liverpool Empire in November.

Emma said she had been inspired by the visit, adding: “I really hope I can follow in Stephanie’s footsteps in the future”.

The Sound of Music is being directed by Elsie Kelly, herself no stranger to the nation’s TV screens, having starred in ITV’s Crossroads and Benidorm series.

Elsie has been BOST’s resident director since 1973 and she is full of praise for all of the children performing in the forthcoming musical.

She said “It is great to see the enthusiasm and talent of our local youngsters shine through.

“They have all worked so hard and it will be exciting to see if any of them do decide to pursue a career in the industry in the future”.

The Sound of Music runs from Wednesday, November 7 to Saturday, November 10.

Tickets are available from the Empire’s Box Office or via their website: www.liverpoolempire.org.uk