Lauren Samuels, ex-student of our bestofhickley business member Hinckley Speech & Drama Studio (HSDS), has received excellent reviews in her first professional role, cast as Wendy in ‘Peter Pan’ at the Curve, Leicester’s new and premier theatre.
The Stage Newspaper said “Lauren Samuels gives a shining and wholly natural performance as Wendy”. Despite an indifferent overall review from the Guardian, Lyn Gardner (guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 December 2009) said of Lauren that “ Lauren Samuels' Wendy is earnest and perpetually puzzled – as if wondering why her agent ever put her up for the job. With better material (she) may well shine.”
Well she certainly is shining; Lauren has made the final 10 in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest BBC Saturday night talent show to find a Dorothy for his stage production of ‘Wizard Of Oz’!
Lauren, now 22 years of age, clearly appears to have had the theatre in her blood from a very early age. Lauren started ballet classes at the tender age of just 2 and then went on to drama school at Hinckley Speech and Drama Studio at the age of 7 before taking singing lessons when she was 13. All this study, training, support and talent is now being put to good use and faces a tough challenge.
Watch BBC One this Saturday at 19:25 when the first live knock out steps up the pressure on the remaining contestants and of course get voting for our local girl – Lauren Samuels.