A YOUNG York acting star’s successful run in a hit musical reaches its finale this weekend.

Mabel Carrington, 10, from York, has been appearing on stage in the role of young Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical, at the Grand Theatre in Leeds, since last month.

The Stagecoach Theatre School pupil has been treading the boards

alongside a donkey, fairytale characters, and big, green monsters as the story of a much-loved animated film is told through song and dance.

Mabel won the part in the touring production after impressing producers during an audition, and will feature in the role along with other students and stars of the stage until tomorrow.

Mabel said: “Finding out I’d got a part was one of the happiest days of my life.

“Rehearsals were so much fun and performing on such a big stage for the first time was amazing.

“We’re all really lucky to have had this opportunity and would like to thank our parents, teachers and Stagecoach for all their support.”

The story follows Shrek, an unlikely hero, and his loyal steed Donkey as they embark on a quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona from a fire-breathing dragon.

It is directed by Nigel Harman, who starred as the pint-sized evil Lord Farquaad in the West End production, and won the 2012 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Sally Thrussell, Stagecoach principal, said: “The children were delighted to be performing in the show. They’re all fans of the film and were absolutely ecstatic to find out they had landed a role in the musical.

“They have trained very hard over the past year and this is a great reward for their efforts.”

Alongside Mabel, Shrek the musical stars Dean Chisnall as the beloved swamp-dwelling ogre, the role he previously played in the West End, Faye Brookes as damsel in distress Princess Fiona, Idriss Kargbo as Shrek’s wisecracking sidekick Donkey and Gerard Carey as pint-sized villain Lord Farquaad.

York Stagecoach School is part of a network of more than 600 part-time Theatre Arts Schools Worldwide.

Early stages classes are available for children aged 4 to 6 and Main School classes take place for six to 18-year-olds.

For more information about York Stagecoach School visit the website www.stagecoach.co.uk/york or call (01904) 672662.