FROM serving behind the bar at Burnley Mechanics to singing on its stage, next week’s performance of the new musical Stop The Train is another stop on the journey to the West End for Burnley actress Katy Oliver.

Katy, 27, who was born in Burnley and raised in Pendle, started acting at the age of 10 at the Pendle Hippodrome Youth Theatre.

She played Snake Eyes in Bugsy Malone and the title role in Annie. At the age of 17 Katy joined Colne Operatics Society and played Kate in Pirates of Penzance and Jane in Brigadoon.

During that time she also performed at The Little Theatre in Colne. Now 27, Katy is currently studying for an MA in Text and Performance at RADA, following a degree in English and Drama at the University of Greenwich.

Katy said: “The experience I gained at Pendle Hippodrome and in Colne learning my craft has been invaluable”.

The former Barrowford Primary and Walton High pupil is now forging her career in London. Her recent main parts have been in The Penelopiad at Greenwich, in Neil Labute’s Pick One for Theatre Uncut at RADA and in True Grit as part of the Write Now festival at the Brockley Jack Theatre.

She is also performing in UKIP! The Musical in the 2015 Edinburgh Festival. Along with her acting, Katy has taken part in the Lyric Hammersmith’s Young Writers group, working with professional playwrights, to write a play of her own.

So what brings Katy back to Burnley? “I really believe in this musical, it’s great to be in something so good right from the very beginning, especially when it means coming back to perform in my home town.

"Burnley Mechanics is a lovely theatre and I met so many nice people in the short time that I spent there serving and ushering customers to their seats.”

Stop The Train returns to the North West following rave reviews.