OSCAR night may seem a world away from Blackpool Grand Youth Theatre, but one aspiring actress doesn't think she's in wonderland to dream of being the next Julia Roberts.

Lauren Ainge,15, from Kirkham Grammar School, will tread the boards on the Grand's main stage for the first time next week with A*L*I*C*E Adventures In Wonderland and told The Citizen: "This is what I want to do. I really admire the work of actresses like Julia and why not aim for the top!

"I started at the Youth Theatre in January after hearing how good it was from friends who were already members.

"It's hard work, though, as there are a lot of rehearsals and I have to fit them around school work and other stuff, but it's definitely worth it."

Writer of the piece, Brendan Murray, said of his adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll tale: "It was a wonderful challenge. I love the madness of the original story and it was exciting to make it into something different.

"And the Grand Theatre is so beautiful that I just had to incorporate it into the script."

Catch A*L*I*C*E at Blackpool Grand Theatre from April 4-7 with tickets at £7. Call the box office on 290190.