Fingers crossed for a starring part in Cilla show
Surprise,surprise! These two Black Country hopefuls met in the audition queue for the new Cilla Black musical - and are hoping for a lorra lorra luck to go through to the next round.
The pair, both called Rachel, were among hundreds who were auditioning for chance to play national treasure from Liverpool in a stage show on her early life.
After a dawn alarm call, they were third and four in line outside the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham where auditions continued until after 7pm.
Club singer Rachel Cooper, from Wednesfield, said: "I'm a lifelong fan of Cilla. My mum and dad were into 60s music so I grew up listening to her. I'd love to play her on the West End stage."
The former Sandwell College student trained at Wednesbuy's Livingstone Academy and lived in London for seven years in a bid to achieve her dream but was unsuccessful.
"Fingers crossed it happens this time," she said.
Student Rachel Newton(CORR), from Brownhills, is nearing the end of a musical theatre degree course at South Staffordshire College - but would put her studies on hold for the chance to play Cilla.
"I got up at five o'clock to get ready to come here - I couldn't sleep. My dad Skyped me from Spain where he and my mom are on holiday at 2am to show me their support - which was very welcome but also very ill-timed," she laughed.
The 22-year-old, who has Cilla's red hair, has started her own business singing at weddings, parties and in clubs.
It was the first time either girl had auditioned for a professional stage job.
Ahead of them, and first in the queue, at 7am, was Becky Lawrence, 22, who had travelled from Hereford. She was followed 15 minutes later by Melanie Stevens, 24, from South Wales.
Producer Hamish Greer revealed one hopeful had travelled from Glasgow, not realising auditions had been held in Edinburgh the day before. "Her mother did not look impressed," he said.
