Sophie's on a high with society role

It was the first time in ten years that she'd trod the boards on the stage where she first dreamed of becoming a star.

"It was an amazing, amazing week," she says. "I feel so lucky to have had the amount of support that I've had had. The opening night was just incredible. I had a lot of friends and family there. It was quite nerve wracking to come back to a stage for the first time since I was 17."

Sophie, who has starred in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sound of Music, among other things, added: "I was 17 when I last played at The Grand, it was just before A Levels. I remember wanting to finish it so that I had time to work on my revision.

"It was 42nd street and I played Peggy. I had a massive tap dance number at the end and I just remember having a great time and loving every minute. It was an amateur performance and it really gave me the bug. I'd thought about going into it professionally before then, but after that I knew that I had to."

Sophie had been brought up in a household that encouraged her theatrical pursuits. "My nan was musical and my parents were very supportive, as were my two sisters. We all had private drama lessons at school. That was the basis for me. That gave me the encouragement and confidence."

Once Sophie completed her A Levels, she auditioned for drama school and got in at four of them. On the advice of a friend who was working for Sir Cameron Mackintosh, she went to the Mountview Academy. She's never looked back.

Her present run in High Society has proved a blast.

She stars with Michael Praed and Marilyn Cutts, playing wealthy socialite Tracy Lord.

Sophie added: "You have to have a thick skin in this business. I've never had things land on a plate. But I've loved every moment and it's always great to return home. I've played at the Birmingham REP and I'm looking forward to being at the Hippodrome."

l High Society is at the Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday to May 18.