NICOLE Dube has traded in St Benedict’s Catholic College for the School of Rock as she stars in the West End musical.

The 12-year-old Stagecoach Colchester student scored her first big role playing Tomika, a shy youngster with ‘nice pipes’.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber production, based on the 2003 comedy film, has its full run at the New London Theatre from November 14 until February 12.

So far, Nicole is enjoying newfound fame which saw her perform on BBC’s The One Show. But nothing compared to the euphoria of her debut stage appearance for the show’s previews.

She said: “When I came off stage after the first scene, I felt my journey was starting.

“My parents and younger brother came to watch and thought it was amazing, and said how wonderfully talented the whole company is.

“They’re my number one supporters as well as Stagecoach and our principal Caroline Maxwell, and all my friends.”

Gazette:

The School of Rock follows washed up musician Dewey Finn, who hijacks a class of private school kids to win a Battle of the Bands competition and revive his showbiz reputation.

Two days after auditioning for the part, Nicole and her mother Pretty, received the big news.

Nicole added: “Mum decided to check her emails and I heard her scream. When I looked up, I found her smiling and saying at the same time that I’d got the part.

“I screamed and jumped up, I was full of joy from that day on.”

But she admitted playing Tomika has not been plain sailing.

She added: “Tomika is the type of person who doesn’t like to be put on the spot even though deep inside she wants to show her true colours.

“I feel very privileged, but it’s hard to relate to her sometimes because she’s really shy. We’re very different, however, I love this role because I now have to use more acting skills than usual and experiment with different ways of playing her.”

And despite juggling rehearsing with her schoolwork, the Year Eight pupil is coping very well.

She added: “Keeping the right balance is really important and my family is there to help which is brilliant. I really enjoy theatre audiences because you can hear their responses and there has been some great cheering so far.”