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Friends reunited
Life's just swell for Sophie Zucchini and Laura Wilson, best pals reunited on the West End stage.
Laura, 21, of Fleetwood, is Pink Lady Jan in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre, London, and now she's been joined by Sophie, who has landed a part in the ensemble.
The girls have known each other for years. They were both pupils at The Barbara Jackson Theatre School, Fleetwood, and teamed up as youngsters in a Couple of Swells for a duet at local festivals.
Sophie, 21, whose mum and dad, Kathleen Blyth-Jenkins and Alan Jenkins live in Stanah, is thrilled to be performing with her best friend again.
"It's just brilliant. We've known each other since forever and we're the best of friends," said Sophie.
"It is just so good."
Sophie shared her Grease debut with the newest star of the show – Dancing on Ice winner Ray Quinn who has swapped his skates for his dancing shoes to take over the role of Danny.
Sophie's parents were in the audience - a double delight for mum Kathleen, who taught both Laura and Sophie to dance. Sophie's owes a lot to her parents. When she was a youngster they moved to Chester so that she could pursuit her talent as a dancer at the specialist, Hammond School.
"I wasn't ready to go as a boarder, but after a little while there, I was and went to Elmhurst in Birmingham until I was 16 when I got into Laine Theatre Arts in Camberley."
Since leaving college she has worked both in the UK and further afield – including a stint in Las Vegas working with illusionist Hans Klok.
She and Laura have always kept in touch. "We had lots of laughs when we were young, it is so nice to be working together." Laura, a former pupil of Cardinal Allen, Fleetwood, and the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, joined Grease last May and has just renewed her contract.
"It's just so nice to have Sophie in the show with me. We have been friends for so long."
Laura parents, who live in Fleetwood, were also at Sophie's first night along with Lorraine Hill, principal the Barbara Jackson School and her dance teacher daughter Katie.
Lorraine said "We are all really proud of their achievements. It just shows that Fylde coast youngsters have got what it takes to make it in the West End!"
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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