Grace Christiansen - the young actor, singer-songwriter is heading north!

Cherry Burton’s Grace Christiansen has landed a part in a John and Elizabeth Godber play, which includes music written by Ruby Macintosh. This means she can use her acting, singing and playing talents in a single production. And what’s more, the play is being premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe!

The play, Ruby and the Vinyl, plays at White Belly from 4th - 28th August. It’s about two students who meet at a vintage shop in Hull and bond through their obsession with box sets. Reality and fantasy merge as they find it harder to separate truth from fiction. The songs are inspired by music from the 50s. Grace is currently studying Drama and Theatre Practice at Hull University. She heard about auditions for the production through the Hull University Facebook page.

Having studied John Godber's plays whilst studying for A-levels at Longcroft School of Performing Arts, she was really keen to meet him; being able to audition for a part was a bonus. Grace told Just Beverley: “The opportunity to meet John Godber was something I was not going to miss! Even if I hadn’t got the part, I would have met and chatted to a fantastic playwright. When I was informed I had been given the part, I was both scared and excited. “I’ve performed in plays such as Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland but this has thrown me in at the deep end. I’m now working with a professional theatre company, can use my musical skills and experience the Edinburgh Fringe all at the same time!”

Grace has wanted to perform from being quite young. She was taught to play guitar at the age of thirteen by her Grandfather, Ted Parke and has written her own compositions, some of which she released on an album on iTunes, called 'Three Corners'.

At the age of 18, she won Hull Daily Mail’s Star Search and has sung at gigs, festivals, weddings and parties. She now plays a variety of instruments and can perform in a variety of different styles and is becoming very popular on the local music scene. But the acting bug is getting to her and Edinburgh calls. For those of us who won’t be able to get up to Scotland to see her, let’s hope the play is reprised in Beverley so we can enjoy it! If you would like to book Grace to perform at a party or wedding, she can be contacted through her Facebook page Grace Christiansen Music or email: grace.christiansen@outlook.com