AN aspiring actress is making her the Edinburgh Festival debut – at the age of 11.

Lili Orchard has been picked to appear in the Youth Music Theatre’s production on the Fringe, Not the End of the World.

Lili, a former pupil at Holmwood House Prep School, Lexden, is due to start at boarding school in September, However before that, she’ll get to spend ten days in Edinburgh, playing her role she won at an audition at Colchester Arts Centre.

She said: “It is really exciting and quite scary. It is such a good opportunity.”

The cast will spend 11 days rehearsing for the show, before taking to the stage for ten performances in ten days.

She said: “It’ll teach me how to perform for a long period without getting tired.”

Lili, who lives with her family in Layer Breton, will act, dance and sing in the show, based on the story of Noah’s Ark, but told from his daughter’s perspective.

Her mum, Marisa, said: “We’re incredibly proud of her and very excited to go up and see her perform. She’s massively excited.”