A BRIEF appearance in a school play set teenager Hannah Dawson on the yellow brick road to success . . .

Her first acting appearance for the school production gave Hannah a taste for the stage. So when she heard Farnworth Little Theatre Youth Group was planning to do The Wizard of Oz, she went along to audition.

She said: "I thought I might be lucky and get a small part. But when I found it was a senior group production I felt I had no chance."

Undeterred, she went ahead and auditioned, and was amazed to land herself the leading role of Dorothy. Hannah's first acting experience was when her school, Turton High, was preparing a full length video of Macbeth -- and she was cast as one of the witches. However, she is no stranger to the stage, and is used to performing in public as a member of Bolton Youth Choir.

Hannah added: "I enjoy singing. I do get to sing at Farnworth, but I find I am now enjoying the acting more."

The Farnworth production of The Wizard of Oz is a special stage version of the famous Judy Garland film. It opens on Saturday, January 25, and runs every night at the Cross Street, Farnworth theatre, the following week.

Tickets are from the box office on 01204 303808 any evening (except Sundays) from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.