It looks like the Colchester Operatic Society has another smash hit on their hands with their latest show. Tickets for Hairspray, which runs at the Mercury Theatre from January 24 to February 3, are nearly sold out so before it does, we caught up with Chantelle Onwordi who plays Little Inez in the production. For the last remaining tickets call 01206 573948.

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

I grew up in Nigeria and loved singing from when I was really young. I first took an interest in musicals when I performed in ‘Once on this Island ‘ at around age six/seven. Ever since then I have loved musical theatre.

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

I had cousins and a few other family members who I remember singing in the church choir and performing with local groups when we were growing up so we were quite a musical family.

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

I don’t think I could name just one because I think everyone I’ve worked with has influenced me in some way – even if it’s by learning what not to do! I try my best to take away as much as I can from each experience, each director and anyone I’m on stage with.

What formal training have you done?

Most of what I have learnt I’ve learnt through experience but when I realised my passion for theatre and performing I decided to start having singing lessons which I did when I was younger and have started again this year. Having these lessons has really helped control my voice a lot more and I’ve learned so much about the anatomy and the biology behind it all as well.

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

I can do a few accents – I am having to do an American accent for Hairspray but there are a few others I can kind of manage. I also love doing make up which is handy on the stage! I’ve always wanted to learn to play the guitar so hopefully if you ask me the same question in a few years I can add that one on.

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

I would say that auditioning for X factor and getting the chance to sing in front of the judges is one the best musical experiences I’ve had.It was amazing to be up there doing what I’ve seen hundreds of people do on TV but also really interesting to see how everything is put together. You don’t realise all the things that you don’t see on tv and all the backstage work that goes into putting the show together.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

My most embarrassing moment on stage is when I nearly forgot what dance I had to do in a scene. I was in Whistle down the Wind at school and there was a scene where we had to choreograph ourselves a little bit of movement but I just had a complete brain freeze and made up something I’d never rehearsed before. It probably threw everyone else on stage but hopefully none of the audience noticed.

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

I really like Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things. At such a young age she is a very powerful actress and I think it’s incredible to be winning awards and having talent like that at just 13!

What role would you most like to play and why?

It would have to be anything in Chicago because I just love the songs and the dances in the production. My favourite song would have to be All that Jazz and I think the staging of We Both Reached for the Gun is just brilliant!

Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?

I don’t think I have but my ears always go bright red when I’m embarrassed so even if I can control my reaction my ears give me away.

Any big plans for the future?

Although I love performing I really want to go to uni study law. Hopefully I can keep all this up on the side though.

Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to other actors/directors?

I think it’s difficult to tell people how to learn lines because everyone has such a different way of learning and my methods might be useless to someone else. I think anyone who does theatre whether it’s professional or as a hobby does it because it’s something they love so just remember to have fun.