STAGE school pals Annabel Jones and Harriet Payne have been close since they met at a singing group.
But the 19-year-olds are going to have to get even closer after landing starring roles in this year's pantomime at the Civic Theatre – in roles that require them to kiss under the spotlights!
Former Miss Doncaster Annabel, from Rossington, met up with Harriet, from Thorne, two years ago when they both enrolled in the Rainbow Connection group, based on Thorne Road.
They both headed off to Italia Conti stage school in London last summer, after finishing at McAuley Catholic High School and Trinity Academy respectively, and they now live in the same student house.
Now the inseparable pair have landed their first professional acting roles in Dick Whittington, alongside Brookside and Last of the Summer Wine star Louis Emerick.
Annabel plays Dick Whittington, while Harriet has the part of the character's stage girlfriend Alice Fitzwarren.
Delighted Annabel was cast as Dick after Harriet had already successfully auditioned for Alice.
Annabel said: "In the story, I fall in love with Harriet's character Alice, and I believe there is a kissing scene – so I guess we will be closer friends when we finish the show than when we start!
"It is great to get the pantomime roles together. I knew Harriet had got Alice, but she said they were struggling to find a Dick Whittington, and my former singing teacher at Rainbow Connection suggested me. He had worked with the director in the past.
"I got back from my audition and said, 'I know who's going to be Dick Whittington – me!'"
"I'm looking forward to playing in the panto with some established professional actors and I think it will be a good learning curve.
"I hope my Dick Whittington will be funny and light-hearted and a character everyone can enjoy."
Harriet is delighted to be starting her professional acting career on home turf.
She has performed at the Civic many times in the past with Doncaster-based performing groups.
"It was a big surprise to end up in the same production as Annabel," she said. "We didn't audition together so I didn't know. I couldn't believe it when she said she'd got a part too.
"I think we feel pretty inseparable at the moment!"
She and Annabel could probably fill the auditorium of one performance with just their friends and relatives.
Dozens of staff from Thorne's Green Top Primary School, where Harriet's mum works, are already planning a trip together, and a legion of pals and family are set to support both girls.
They are not the only Doncaster lasses taking the stage in the show – Dick Whittington's cat is played by both 11-year-old Ashley Cope, from Cantley, and Shannon Mitchell, from Norton.
Dick Whittington runs at the Civic Theatre from Thursday December 11 to Sunday January 4.
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