Shireen Hamlani is one of them.

From stage to screen she has made her name as an actress.

Now, she is set to take on a bewitching role when she stars in the Witches of Eastwick.
ACTRESS Shireen Hamlani has been singing and dancing for as long as she can remember.



As a child she was a born entertainer and with support from her family she began enrolling at drama and singing groups when she hit her teens.

Since then Shireen's time in the limelight has seen her play roles in many major musicals and helped make her name as both a professional and amateur actress.

Shireen, who lives in Easington, said: "I have been performing since I was tiny.

"I started off in the Ethel Hardy dancing school in South Shields and it went from there.

"When I was 14 I joined the South Shields Operatic Society and over the years I joined many different groups.

"I loved all kinds of dancing and performing.

"I was always outgoing as a child and have always been confident."

At 23, Shireen was offered a place at the prestigious Italia Conti, Britain's oldest theatre arts training school, but had to give up her place when she could not get a grant.

Shireen, who works as a specialist nurse for South Tyneside PCT said: "It will always be one of those things where I will wonder what could have happened but I am happy with everything that I have.

"I enjoy my life and I consider myself very lucky."

Despite the set back Shireen, who has a partner, has gone on to achieve great success across the country and has appeared both on TV and the stage.

She has performed in dozens of musicals at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle since becoming a member of West End Operatic Society over 20 years ago.

She has also appeared on screens in bit parts in Byker Grove and she is no stranger to appearing on TV having been a contestant on several game shows including Wipeout, Supermarket Sweep and the Price is Right.

But her passion still lies with musical theatre.

"Shireen said: "I have always loved musicals. I still like going to them and I love performing.

"I am always nervous before a show and before auditions."

Shireen is currently rehearsing to take on a major role in The Witches of Eastwick when it is staged at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle in April.

The musical is a tale packed with heroes and villains and tells the story of three divorcees who dream up their ideal man.

Shireen will play the part of Alexandra Spofford, one of the "witches".

She said: "I love being able to act out different parts and to be able to play different personas.

"I can play young people, old people - there's so much variety with the parts.

"The part of Alexandra is a really good one.

"She is the leader of the pack in a sense and the other two women look at her as a sister.

"It will be an excellent show."

Shireen has spent the last six months rehearsing for the part and has had to combine a tough rehearsal schedule with her full time job, often rehearsing every night for three hours.

Shireen said: "It is hard but I love it and people always say they can tell I enjoy it.

"Often I will work a full day and then rehearse after work, it can be hard.

"I have some great friends at the society and I have seen a lot of talent come through."

She added: "Everyone has been brilliant in helping me get this far. My partner comes to every single performance and my mother to every show.

"I have a big passion for performing and see a good future in it.

"I would love to play Roxy Hart in Chicago or Eliza Doolittle and there are already parts in other musicals coming up that I would like to go for, I'm just trying to decide which."

The Witches of Eastwick is on stage at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle from April 21 to April 26.

For tickets, contact the box office on 0870 905 5060.