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'Performing in my hometown is a surreal feeling'

Eleanor Lawson
BBC News, West Midlands
CMR Photography A close-up headshot of a woman with platinum blonde curly hair. She looks at the camera in front of a dark green background.CMR Photography
Sophie-Rose Emery grew up watching shows at the Wolverhampton Grand theatre and now gets to take to its stage

"I think it's going to be a really emotional moment actually because it's something I've worked my whole life towards, to get this job."

Sophie-Rose Emery grew up watching pantomimes and shows at the Wolverhampton Grand. Born and bred in the city, she would go on to join local amateur dramatics groups.

Now as a professional actress she has come a long way, but had not returned to her home city until now, to tread the boards at the theatre where her love of acting was born - in Bat Out Of Hell, a musical centred on the songs of Meat Loaf.

"To go there and be on the stage and perform for my family and friends in my hometown will be a really surreal feeling," she said.

The 26-year-old is performing the show at the Grand from 14-19 July, playing Scherzzo and she is also first cover for Raven, the female lead in the show.

"It's a storyline very much similar to Peter Pan," she said. "It's a really cool story".

Her family and friends locally will be watching her take to the stage, something Ms Emery is excited about.

"There's no place like home really," she said.

Elliott Davis A woman with dark hair on a stage with her mouth open as she belts a song. She holds a microphone close to her face.Elliott Davis
Bat Out of Hell has a Peter Pan-esque story set to the music of Meat Loaf

It is a milestone moment for Ms Emery, who attended the Ingram Academy in Willenhall, on the border with Wolverhampton, before going to Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre and Birmingham Ormiston Academy.

She also performed in Wolverhampton's Got Talent.

Touring the Bat Out of Hell show has allowed her to enjoy experiencing cities across the country, but nothing beats coming home to perform.

"The thing that gets me every time is the people, to be honest, they're just so friendly and receiving," she said.

"The Grand is a beautiful theatre anyway - but it's just the heart and the people, they're such a welcoming friendly group of people and it's such a nice audience to perform to."

Elliott Davis An actress with dark hair wears a leather jack and fishnet tights on stage. She looks down at a male actor with brown hair wearing a white top, who has tattoos on his arm. The stage behind them is dark.Elliott Davis
Ms Emery says Wolverhampton people are honest and friendly

She has also performed in the show when it was at The Alexandra in Birmingham.

"It was such a great audience," she said.

"[Brummies] aren't afraid to show you how much they're enjoying the show.

"They'll clap and they'll shout and it makes you feel really appreciated as an actor and I just feel like it's my people so I love coming home - it's just a really nice feeling."

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