Round and round goes Danell

After training at Whittaker School of Dance and Drama as a teenager she gained a diploma in drama at the Blackpool & Fylde College then set out in pursuit of an acting career.

Spotting an ad in The Stage newspaper for “tall girls” with ballet experience changed the course of her life.

“I was quite tall at five-foot ten so I decided to apply,” said Danell.

After auditioning at the Midland Hotel in Manchester and then in Brighton she got the job as a Bluebell Girl.

“It was a fantastic experience being in Paris in the mid-80s,” said Danell who plays Annie in Fylde Coast Players’ forthcoming production of Alan Ayckbourn’s classic comedy Round And Round The Garden.

“There were about 40 dancers and we all worked extremely hard with two shows a night generally and all the quick costume changes involved.”

Danell spent nearly a year in the chorus line then returned to the Fylde where she worked as a dance and drama therapist at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

She continued to gain qualifications in her spare time and went to Lancaster University where she graduated with a degree in theatre studies followed by a further year completing a teacher training course.

This led to a job as Director of Expressive and Performing Arts at the LSA Technology and Performing Arts College in Ansdell where she has worked for the past 20 years.

Round And Round The Garden is at Lowther Pavilion from Wednesday, July 2, to Saturday, July 5, at 7.30 pm.

Tickets £9.50 (concs £9) from the box office on 01253 794221 or at www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk