A 10-year old schoolgirl from Athlone will see her dreams of stardom come true next weekend when she performs live on stage before an audience of hundreds at one of this year’s major pantomimes - Cinderella at the Helix.
Clodagh Berryman from Clonark, Cornafulla, Athlone was chosen from hundreds of applicants to the HeliX Factor – a competition open to children from across Ireland to launch their stage career with a major bang.
Clodagh has won the prize of a lifetime, the chance of a live cameo performance during the final shows of Cinderella next Saturday Januaray 16 at the Helix, alongside professional and experienced actors. The fabulous prize package also includes personal tuition from industry experts in choreography, voice training, and drama in advance of the final shows.
Clodagh’s parents Maria and Kevin say she is over the moon with the great news.
“She hasn’t slept since she heard she won it. Singing and dancing is all Clodagh has ever wanted to do. She is with a school of drama and dance in Athlone called Attitude and she does ballet and Irish dancing. All she does is dance … she’s not able to walk.”
Producer of Cinderella at the Helix, Claire Tighe says the judges were blown away by the calibre of entries to the competition. “There is huge talent out there and we were sorry that we only had room for one winner. We are thrilled with Clodagh. She is very hard-working and dedicated and so unassuming - she is a dream to work with.”
Clodagh, a 4th class student at Cornafulla National School, will perform the renowned Wizard of Oz favourite ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ in a scene with the Ugly Sisters this Saturday at both the afternoon and evening performances of Cinderella at the Helix. She will live-it-up VIP style, staying in the luxury four-star Crowne Plaza Hotel, and preparing for the shows from her own personal dressing room.
