Actress makes history with Miss Saigon role

Bea Ward has become the youngest person to ever play the lead in Miss Saigon

A girl from Herefordshire has "made history" by becoming the youngest person to ever play the lead in the musical Miss Saigon, an honour she described as "crazy".

Bea Ward, a 17-year-old actress from Leominster, plays Kim in the production, which began its UK tour at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre last week.

The Herefordshire star previously featured in Hollywood's Wicked, and described her career so far as a "wild journey".

She said: "I never thought I'd be here in my life but I'm just soaking it all in."

Ward, who was was given the role when she was 16, said the role of Kim had usually been reserved for actresses who were at least 17, turning 18, so had never expected to get looked at.

"When I got the call back and kept getting them and the email saying they wanted to see me back again, I started to realise it was getting real," she recalled.

"When I got it, I was like, 'oh, my gosh' I've made history, which is kind of crazy because I never thought I'd do that. I'm just really grateful."

Asked what audiences can expect, Ward described the story as an "epic love story journey".

"It follows this 17-year-old runaway from war and falling in love with an American guy, which is such a true story for so many Vietnamese people during the fall of Saigon.

"I'm really honoured to share the story and continue its legacy."

The actress has never received any formal acting or vocal training, despite her impressive high profile roles to date.

Discussing any advice for fellow young people looking to follow in her footsteps, she said: "I just take on what is given to me and learn from other people, feel what's wrong and what's right.

"This sounds really cringey but if you believe in yourself and you have that inner confidence, you can truly do anything you want to do."