DON'T work with children and animals, declares the old showbiz adage.

 

Well, if Danielle Hope were to listen to that logic she wouldn't have a hope in hell of shining on stage next week.

Danielle, the winner of the BBC talent contest Over The Rainbow who starred as Dorothy in west end production of The Wizard of Oz, is in Glasgow to star in the Sound of Music.

The Cheshire-born musical theatre star can't wait to appear on stage as Maria, the iconic part created by Julie Andrews in which the von Trapp family have to sing and yodel their way to freedom from the Nazis.

However when you're working with six kids on stage . . .

Danielle laughs as she admits the kids could run away with the plaudits.

"We've got 18 children in total," she says of the alternating cast of kids. "And the Liesl is actually older than me in real life.

"They've all got their individual characters. But I like the fact the kids are unpredictable. And they're great fun. A lot of my lines with them are answers to their questions. And live theatre certainly keeps you on your toes."

Danielle arrives in Glasgow from New York where she's performing a one-off concert in Times Square. It's a fantastic showcase,

But there's an added bonus.

"My boyfriend (Dan DeLuca) is American and lives there and I want to live in new York at some point. This is my chance to make an impression and I'm so excited.

"But at the same time I've been having these crazy anxiety dreams that my teeth will fall out or something like that."

Danielle's boyfriend is also a musical theatre star, currently on tour with the Disney show. Two performers in one relationship?

"Yes, but it's great when you have a partner who understands the business," she says.

"And he will actually appear in my concert doing one of my Disney medleys. The thing is, we've never appeared together before."

She adds, laughing; "It could be make or break."

There's a break in the Sound of Music tour and Danielle will go off to Texas to meet up with her young man. But for the moment, Danielle admits she's really excited about coming to Glasgow.

"I love the city. In fact, I was ready to come to Glasgow to join the Conservatoire and train, and I was actually in town to have a look around when the auditions for Dorothy came up.

"If that hadn't been successful, I'd have been based in Scotland."

But Dorothy did work out incredibly well and the one time waitress was chosen from over 9,000 girls to perform live on the BBC reality TV show Over The Rainbow.

After her success in 2012 Danielle, still only 18, went on to play the role of Éponine in Les Misérables in the West End.

"The year I was in that show really grounded me in London," she says. "I had Michael Crawford with me but I had such weight on my shoulders. I had to get used to that and I did."

She went on to appear as Snow White and then in Joseph.

"But Maria is the first real adult role I've had. I've now got the chance to play the leading lady."

The excitement in her voice doesn't abate as she continues; "Julie Andrews is my hero. Mary Poppins is my all-time favourite film and Julie just radiates class. I've had her approach to the business in the back of my mind since I began."

Danielle isn't out to give a Julie Andrews copy performance however. Nor is she out to stamp her authority on the role.

"Sometimes people say they want to make the role their own. I don't believe that. I think when you're on the stage and doing it, it will be different regardless. It's not about trying to create a unique impression.

"What you have to do is play the truth, and hold onto that notion and let the audience enjoy it."

The Sound of Music may be light and fizzy but it does have a dark backdrop.

"It really has, with the danger lurking from the Nazis. But it's also a great love story and there's Maria's love of music and children."

Danielle, whose mum is a waitress and dad is a builder, dreamed of being a performer since she was 11,

"It is such an honour to carry the Sound of Music torch."

And to work with the kids.

"I've always been blessed to work with children in all the productions I've done so far so I take a leaf out of their book and I'm inspired by them. They think 'this is really cool' and enjoy it. I also think if I am nervous, they will be nervous.

"I say to myself you've not got anything to prove, only to share."

She adds; "The way they approach rehearsals is fantastic. They can be doing maths or science all day and they come into the theatre and do a great job. And you get caught up in their enthusiasm and their openness."

She adds, with a knowing smile; "And if you every want to know the truth ask a child, not an adult."

Have any of the kids come up to her and said 'You're not sounding at your best tonight, Danielle. You missed a couple of high notes.'

"No, not yet," she says, laughing. "But I'm sure that day will come."

The Sound of Music, the King's Theatre, February 16-28.