SWINDON actress Alice Baker will pull out last year’s glass slippers from her wardrobe as she gears up to lead a pantomime as Cinderella once again.

The 18-year-old, who studies at the Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) in Guildford, landed her first-ever professional role as the fairytale favourite 12 months ago.

Today, after impressing during a day of auditions at PPA earlier this year, she is set to begin rehearsals in Qdos Entertainment’s Wolverhampton Grand Theatre production.

Alice, whose parents live in Croft Road, will appear alongside Julian Clary and Hollyoaks’ Joe Tracini in front of a 1,200-seat auditorium.

The former Lethbridge Primary and Commonweal School pupil was on stage in Guildford for more than five weeks last year and she is sure to use much of the experience she gained this time around.

“I was very shocked,” she said. “It was similar emotions to last year, really. It was excitement. It’s a special thing to be playing Cinderella and at an even bigger theatre this year.

“I learned a lot last year. It was my first really big professional experience. To have another while I’m still in training is absolutely great.

“It’s a huge, important part of a performer’s development and it’s great to have that at a high calibre of theatre.

“It will take a lot of stamina. It’s a long run and just the realisation that, in panto, anything can happen and every performance is different.

“It makes it so special: you walk on, the place is full of families and it’s entertainment with audience participation creating such enjoyment.”

Alice has been learning the script for the past two weeks, with rehearsals in London this week before the move to Wolverhampton ahead of the curtain-raiser on December 6.

She will be staying with a retired couple as a lodger for her run of shows, which will end on January 18, but has already promised her mum she will return to Swindon for Christmas Day.

The teenager said her family has already booked their tickets for the show, despite the trek to the West Midlands to see their star in action.

It may not be the first time for them to see her on stage, but Alice maintains it will be just as special to her in an industry where experience is everything.

“It definitely gives me a good experience and does make me feel a little calmer,” she said.

“This industry is very competitive all the time and I don’t think you can ever feel solid.

“I’m definitely prepared more for life in the arts. I’m happy performing, whether that is on TV, hopefully film or theatre.”

For more information and tickets, visit: www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/panto/cinderella