Dani aims to find her dream over the rainbow (From Northwich Guardian)

Dani Rayner bids for West End stardom on Andrew Lloyd Webber TV show

12:27pm Wednesday 31st March 2010 in News By Gina Bebbington

AN actress and singer from Northwich hopes Guardian readers will help her follow the yellow brick road to achieve her dreams.

Dani Rayner has been swept up by a tornado of fame since appearing in the BBC’s latest musical talent search Over the Rainbow at the weekend.

The 16-year-old, from Whitegate, who is studying for her AS levels at The Grange School, is the youngest of the final 10 hopefuls all dreaming of becoming the next Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

Her proud mum Jenny said: “Ever since she could stand, Dani has loved to perform.

“She adores musical theatre and her dream is to play a lead role in a West End musical.

“She has been able to sing in tune since she was tiny.

“She initially applied for her audition without telling us because she is doing her AS levels this year and knew we were keen for her to get her exams under her belt first.

“She wanted to apply now to know whether she is good enough for a career in musical theatre – otherwise she would have to think again. She’s always been very determined.

“She only told us she had an audition the week before so we let her sleep on it overnight before telling her she could go for it.

“We’re now so glad she did and are 100 per cent behind her.”

Dani played the lead role in Harlequin Players’ production of The Diary of Anne Frank when she was 14.

Caroline Young, from the Harlequins, said: “We are delighted to see Dani on the national stage after her success in our sell-out production of The Diary of Anne Frank in October 2007.

“All our members wish her well and are supporting her.

“It’s nice to think we helped set her on her way.”

Dani, who was named 2007 Next Singing Sensation by Cheshire FM, has also been a member of Stagecoach Theatre Arts and Curtain Call productions.

She starred in The Grange School’s production of Les Miserables as Eponine in 2009 and was asked to sing On My Own from Les Mis at the school’s prize-giving evening at the Bridgewater Hall, in September.

Jenny, deputy chairman of Weaver Vale Housing Trust, said: “Dani always said that was her biggest achievement because it was in front of 2,000 people but now she has performed in front of seven million.”

It will now be up to Over