A FORMER Hull barmaid is to star in a major theatre production alongside household names including Kerry Katona.
Hayley Jane Brown, 32, of Bransholme, always dreamed of being an actress, despite leaving school with no GCSEs and working in various roles, including a waitress and factory worker.
Despite this, Hayley has remained determined throughout and has finally got what she hopes will be her breakthrough role.
She said: "I knew I had to go and make my dream come true. Something inside just kept telling me to keep pushing, even after all the knockbacks I had."
After featuring as an extra in various television programmes, including Hollyoaks, Hayley was trawling through the Spotlight casting directory for the latest auditions when she saw an advertisement for the role of Marilyn Monroe in the production, Norma Jean The Musical.
After auditioning for the part, Hayley received the news she had hoped for and got a second call back.
She said: "I was given only lyrics to a song called I Am Miss Marilyn Monroe.
"There was no backing track and I had a week to come up with something creative."
Weeks later, after not hearing anything, Hayley was on Twitter and discovered Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona had been given the role for which she had applied.
A day or two later, Hayley was on Facebook and noticed she had a message from Karen Struel-White, the producer of the show and part of the audition panel, asking if she wanted to join the cast of the new show.
Hayley said: "I am absolutely thrilled and it just goes to show how much my determination has paid off."
Rehearsals for the show have already begun in London in preparation for its opening.
