AN ACTRESS will be taking centre stage at one of the most famous theatres in London after just 48 hours of rehearsal time. Young thespian Amy Castledine, from Saffron Walden, has won the lead role in a unique performance of Me and My Girl at the London Pa

AN ACTRESS will be taking centre stage at one of the most famous theatres in London after just 48 hours of rehearsal time.

Young thespian Amy Castledine, from Saffron Walden, has won the lead role in a unique performance of Me and My Girl at the London Palladium.

"This will be the biggest stage I have ever performed on, but also the shortest time I have had to rehearse," said Amy. "It's a real mixture of being exciting and terrifying!"

Innovative theatre company Eyebrow Productions will attempt to rehearse and produce the play in just 48 hours to raise money for leukaemia charity the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Amy, 24, heard about the project from a friend and went to the audition at King's College, London, in July. "It was a general audition where we had to sing, dance and act," she said.

"Then two weeks later we were called back to audition for specific roles - I was really surprised when I discovered I had been given the part of Sally, the lead character."

The Palladium in the London's West End is one of the grandest stages in the country, and with more than 2000 seats it is also one of the largest.

After picking up the acting bug at Saffron Walden County High School, where she starred in a number of productions including West Side Story, Amy went on to study drama at the University of East Anglia.

After graduating, Amy went on to complete an MA in musical theatre at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. She is now living in Gibson Close and is hoping to become a professional actress.

A cast of 120 people will be taking on the challenge of putting on a West End production in just 48 hours. Rehearsals will start on the evening of Friday October 24 and the one-off performance will be given on Sunday October 26.

Me and My Girl is a musical comedy with a host of hilarious characters and toe-tapping songs including the famous Lambeth Walk, and The Sun Has Got His Hat On.

"We can learn our lines beforehand, but everything else will be done over two days," said Amy. "It will be hard work, but it's for a great charity so it will be worth it if we can raise a lot of money. And who knows if I'll ever get the chance to perform at the Palladium again!"

For more information visit www.meandmygirl2008.co.uk or call the ticket line on 08708 900145. Prices range from £17.50 to £35.