MAKING her professional stage debut in what has been called "Cardiff's biggest pantomime yet", Barry girl Holly Bluett is taking centre stage as Cinderella this festive season.

Playing the lead role in the New Theatre's panto extravaganza, 21-year-old Holly is currently entertaining audiences alongside familiar faces such as Welsh rugby star Gareth "Alfie" Thomas, TV favourites Linda Lusardi, Lee Mead and comedian Mike Doyle among others.

Holly said she has dreamt of a career in musical theatre since her days as a Bryn Hafren Comprehensive schoolgirl and has previously performed in amateur productions for Barry's Billboard Ensemble.

For Holly, who grew up in Wenvoe, landing the lead role in a pantomime at the New Theatre just months after graduating from Bird College London couldn't be more fitting.

"My mum and dad actually met while performing in a show at the New Theatre," she said. "Musical theatre is what I've always wanted to do, it's always been part of my life.

" I used to do a pantomime in Barry every year and that was great fun. I’ve been in Cinderella twice before but never played Cinderella so this is like promotion.

"I feel so lucky to be back performing in Cardiff."

Cinderella has already started its run at the New Theatre, where it will be showing until January 18.

So far, Holly is having a ball. "It's brilliant," she said. "It's so much fun and every show is different.

"My co-stars are great. Gareth Thomas is absolutely amazing, I love him.

"Being able to make people laugh and feel good is the best thing about it. Panto is something that the whole family can enjoy, the whole family can go and everyone leaves with a really good feeling."

The New Theatre describes Cinderella as "featuring plenty of glitz and glamour along with stunning costumes, fabulous sets, fantastic musical numbers and an abundance of comedy".

Reviews have been hailing Holly's performance as the icing on a star-studded cake, with one recently calling her duet with Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead "a moment to savour".

Tickets for Cinderella which runs from December 13 until January 18 can be bought on 029 2087 8889 or online at www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk