AN aspiring stage star is appealing for help to achieve her dream of performing on the West End.Natasha Staffieri needs to raise around �25,000 to take up a coveted place at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

AN aspiring stage star is appealing for help to achieve her dream of performing on the West End.

Natasha Staffieri needs to raise around �25,000 to take up a coveted place at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

The 22 year old, from Bradwell, is currently in the final year of a musical theatre course at the Colchester Institute of Music and Performing Arts.

She is hoping to follow in the footsteps of previous Mountview graduates including Sound of Music star Connie Fisher and actress Kelly Adams whose credits include BBC1 TV show Hustle.

This week Natasha won the Jo Estill Cup for solo musical theatre singing and the Donald J Hughes Trophy for ensemble singing at the institute in competitions judged by Louise Crane - principal artist with Glyndebourne Opera and English National Opera.

The former Lynn Grove High School pupil began treading the boards as a seven year old with the Dusmagrik Young People's Theatre Company.

And Natasha will be back on stage with other former members of the company for a special silver anniversary show at Gorleston's Pavilion Theatre next month.

A celebration in dance and song Natasha will be playing her part with renditions of As Long As He Needs Me from Oliver and The Life of the Party - from The Wild Party.

She said: “I would love to perform on the West End in a long running musical. My dream roles are Tracy in Hairspray and Lady of the Lake from Spamalot. The course fees alone are nearly �15,000 for the one year postgraduate degree so I would love to be sponsored.”

Anyone able to sponsor Natasha should call 07837 768084 or email natashastaffieri@live.co.uk.

The Dusmagrik anniversary show runs from April 15 to 17. Tickets - adults, �9, children, �5, - are available from the theatre box office on 01493 662832 or online at www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk.