A SOUTHEND schoolgirl is thrilled to be working alongside award-winning comedian Miranda Hart in the West End.

Ten-year-old Dora Yolland plays Tessie, one of the 21 orphans in the hugely-successful production of Annie.

Dora said: “I play the part of Tessie. She’s quite a nervous girl, always concerned that the older girls’ antics will get us in trouble with Miss Hannigan.

“We do three days on and then have a week off.

“Before a show I normally make sure I’ve had something healthy to eat and drink to give me loads of energy for the show and then the vocal and physical warm-up on stage and a catch-up gossip with the rest of my team.”

Comedian Miranda plays baddie Miss Hannigan in her West End debut.

Dora said: “Miranda is so nice to all of us girls, always joking and making us laugh.

“I was a bit star struck when I met her in rehearsals.”

Dora previously trained at Finch Stage School, Joanna Bond School of Classical Ballet and the Revelation theatre company.

She added: “I started dancing when I was about three and then joined in with the singing and acting classes when I was six at my dance school.”

Before Annie, Dora played the role of Lavender in award-winning musical Matilda as well as performing in the Cinderella and Peter Pan pantomimes at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend.

Giving an insight into her typical day, Dora said: “I go to school and then head into London to be dropped off at the theatre.

“We are taken to our dressing room by the chaperone and we then have a vocal and physical warm-up on stage with the rest of the cast.

“Then we go back to the dressing room to put on our costumes and have ourselves covered in fake dirt and our hair back combed so we look messy, then we head on to the stage and into the wings for the start of the show.”

It looks as though this is only the beginning for Dora as she has big plans for the future.

She said: “I’d love to end up doing this as my career there’s lots of musicals I’d really love to be in and I wouldn’t mind the chance to either be on TV or maybe even a big movie.”

Dora’s father, Douglas Holland, 49, said: “Obviously I’m immensely proud of what she’s achieved and how hard she’s worked over the last two years with being in Matilda and now Annie”

“It’s been difficult at times for her with the late nights and having to keep up with all her school work.

“But she never moans and has coped incredibly well despite the demands on her.

“It’s a huge commitment for the family to undertake as you have to constantly juggle work and school runs, but it’s all been worth it as it’s been such an incredible experience for us as a family.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what she achieves in the future, I’m a very proud dad.”