A TEN-YEAR-OLD Barry schoolgirl will tread a big theatre’s boards – a decade after her star quality made the front page of the Barry & District News.

Sully Primary school pupil Eleni Young will take on a lead role when she takes to the Wales Millennium Centre’s Weston Studio stage in new musical, I Merlin, next month.

Eleni, who has never gone to any acting classes or drama school, plays central character Geneth - opposite noted actor Dan Lambert who plays Merlin.

I Merlin – an adaption of a Mabinogion Welsh legend – was created by Penarth musician, Katherine Cole, who is also Eleni’s singing tutor.

But Eleni achieved her taste of celebrity when her baby photo was Barry & District headline news back in 2006, when she was a prize winner in a national baby modelling contest, aged just one.

Her mum Ellie Young, 36, said: “That was 10 years ago and you never know what’s going to happen in 10 years, but she’s gone on to get this major part.

“My daughter hasn’t gone to any acting schools or classes, yet you would think she had as it seems to just come naturally to her.

“It’s exciting for me as a mother, but really emotional for me as a watcher. I’m really proud of her being my daughter.”

The mum-of-three added that she hoped that I Merlin would go on to great success.

“If all goes well the musical would receive funding from the Welsh Arts to take it all over the country," she said.

Eleni said she had initially had one line, but her part became a leading one after her singing and acting ability impressed Mrs Cole.

She said that she hopes to one day appear in a show on a London West End stage.

She said: “I don’t really get nervous when I’m doing these shows. I get more excited. I prefer darker roles, serious ones. It’s easier to play serious ones. It’s harder to be happy, I can’t really laugh."

I Merlin, which sold out at The Paget Rooms in Penarth last year, is at the Wales Millennium Centre, Weston Studio at 8pm on Saturday, July 9 and 2pm and 7pm on Sunday, July 9.

Tickets are £15 and £16 for seniors and children under 16. Visit, wmc.org.uk or call 029 2063 6464.