A PERFORMER with high hopes for the West End is one step closer to realising his dream after securing a full-time job on the stage after only his first audition.

Joseph Annetts, a second year student at the Judith Hockaday College of Dance and Drama, is now hastily packing his bags to be whisked away for his first professional job doing what he does best.

The 21-year-old from West Swindon is off to work for a national hotel chain as a cabaret singer, and he has been busy rehearsing in the studio in Old Town ever since returning back from his audition last week and being told the good news.

“I am excited, really excited,” he told The Adver from the studios where he has been busy practicing his routines. “It is going to be a new experience, I have always wanted to explore singing and the entertainment business and I am thoroughly looking forward to it.”

Having had vocal tuition from Janice Thompson and studied at The Academy of Music and Sound he has now completed two years under the guidance of Judith Hockaday, recently gaining certificates in dance, modern tap and folk dance, completing his Grade 7 LAMDA.

He was among a number of young people who attended the auditions in London at the end of last week where his first performance earned him a call-back before he was eventually told he had been selected.

Citing Queen, Pavarotti and Michael Crawford as his inspiration – all notable for having strong voices – he said he realised early on that he would need to become a “triple threat” (skilled in dance, song and acting) in order to make it big in the business. This has seen him hone not only his vocal abilities, but also his acting and dance skills in the hope of being just what West End directors are after.

“My family has been so supportive to me over the years, and I really want to thank them for that,” he said. “Getting this job is showing them that all of the hard work has paid off. My mum always said I would be on the stage one day.

“After this I hope to progress to the West End stage. This has really put me on the ladder to get me there, but I seem to have jumped on the ladder a few steps up, rather than having to start right from the bottom.”

Judith Hockaday said she was absolutely thrilled he had secured a job, especially as it was his first audition. “I think he will be absolutely great, I am very proud,” she said.