She may only be 17, but this week Kate Macpherson is at the centre of civil strife, bloody battles and power struggles.

No she’s not into politics or a member of the armed forces, she is in fact a budding actress from Wolverhampton who takes centre stage in a production of an historical Shakespeare play.

The teenager is treading the boards this week at Birmingham’s REP as a member of the theatre’s thriving youth theatre, the Young REP.

Kate, an A-level student at Wolverhampton Girls’ High School, takes on the role of Lady Elizabeth Gray in Henry VI Part III: The Chaos, Shakespeare’s depiction of a divided nation and a king in turmoil.

Kate, who lives in Tettenhall, has been a member of the Young REP for the past four years, but this is her most ambitious project to date.

She is among up to 20 youngsters, aged from 11 to 18, who are part of the group.

“I have always been interested in drama at school and performed in various plays as well as doing some directing while I’ve been in sixth form,” said Kate, who is studying history, politics and English at A-Level.

“Around four years ago a friend who had heard of the Young REP suggested I join the group and I did just that.”

She takes part in workshops at the theatre twice a week, learning about musicals as well as picking up general theatrical skills.

During the past four years she has taken part in a number of productions at the theatre, including Tics, Their Scarves were Red and A Ring of Roses.

“I’ve always liked the idea of taking on a different character,” she said.

“I was always quiet in school and I think acting is a great way to express yourself and be someone else,” she added.

Henry VI Part III: The Chaos is showing at the Birmingham Rep Theatre from Saturday July 12 to Saturday July 19.

Tickets are £5. Visit www.birmingham-rep.co.uk or call 0121 236 4455