COLCHESTER'S Sarah-Ellen Young has been a familiar face on the local theatre scene for several years now.

Her latest appearance will be in Entertaining Angels at the Headgate Theatre, Colchester, which runs from October 19 to 22. For tickets call 01206 366000.

What or who got you interested theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?

I was about three and we did the nativity at nursery. I was Mary mainly because I owned a toy donkey I think! My husband was one of the wise men.

My favourite production was at high school when I played Fizzy in Bugsy Malone. I had my grandad Cornwell's flat cap on and had to plait my hair to get it to fit and had to borrow my drama teacher's overall dungarees that were much too big. I loved it though. It was a great part.

Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in the theatre?

Not really. My Grandad Wilson used to dress up and do a comedy turn on the piano during the war but that's pretty much it. When he passed on I was given his wigs.

Who is the most inspiring person you’ve worked with and why?

Probably my drama teacher Jeanne Stacey. She was and is a real inspiration.

What formal training have you done?

I have had no official formal training but I did go on a summer course that was run by the amazing Giles Foreman. He has a drama school in London and is an amazing actor.

Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire?

I'm kind of a hoarder when it comes to wigs and costumes. I'm a big fan of historical costume of the 20th century. My wigs have gotten some pretty awesome reviews all on their own. I lend them out when needed. I think they may be trying to upstage me!

Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your career to date?

I had the pleasure of playing Erma in Anything Goes in 2007 at the Harlow Playhouse with the Bishop's Stortford Musical Theatre Company. I loved that part. I learnt a tap dance routine in about ten rehearsals having never tap danced before, or since. Other than that I would have to say my recent role as Woman of Coventry in A Matter of Life and Death. A real heartbreaking role, which won me the Dave Ross Adjudicators award from the North Essex Theatre Guild this year.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

Not quite on stage but close. I had to walk off stage and collect a ticket, then come straight back on. However the props lady had found it just before curtain up and had moved it onto the props table at the other side of the stage. When the time came and I found the ticket missing, I fashioned something hastily out of a plain piece of A4 paper I found, came back on and handed it to the leading man who took one look and hid it in his pocket! I kept the ticket hidden away tucked into my costume every night after that.

Which actor (s) performer (s) do you most admire and why?

Locally there are so many great actors it's hard as I'd like to mention them all. I've had the pleasure of working with some really wonderful ones of all ages.

If we are talking famous actors I'd have to say Rosalind Russell, Bette Midler and Kate Mckinnon are probably my favourites right now but Victoria Wood will always be my heroine.

What role would you most like to play and why?

Rose in Gypsy. I love that role. It's comedic yet she's almost repulsive at times as that archetypal stage mum but you can't help but like her. I'd love to have a crack at that. I need a few more years under my belt yet though.

Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?

I was in a production of My Fair Lady in which our Henry Higgins had a Freudian slip. The maids who were lined up at the back, of which I was one, had to hold it together as the stage crew wet themselves behind the scenes, out of earshot of the audience but sadly not us!

Any big plans for the future?

I will be appearing in Entertaining Angel's at the Headgate theatre, from the 19th until the 22nd of October. I play a vicar which is definitely a new one on me. It's a great comedy play and I'm really looking forward to it. The cast and director are excellent, I can't wait! Once my one year old son gets a little older I would like to take a professional drama course.