Teacher hopes Wicked role will 'inspire students'

A dance teacher who has a part in the new Wicked movie says she hopes her experience will inspire her students.

The film version of the Wizard of Oz-related musical has its UK premiere this Friday.

Lily Field, who teaches dance at WD Studios in Southend and appears alongside Ariana Grande in the movie, said: "One of my past students was in the film with me.

"We've always strived to tell our students that you can do whatever you want to do."

The movie, billed as "Part One" and also starring Jeff Goldblum and Cynthia Erivo, is an adaptation of the stage musical and tells the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Ms Field said she originally auditioned to be a dance double for Grande, but it did not work out.

• Turning and English village into Munchkinland

They called her in again to potentially play the part of Dorothy. That did not materialise either, but it was third time lucky.

"They called me in to be part of the huge One Short Day [song] scene and it was amazing," she said.

"I danced closely with all of the stars."

Field said she saw the film last week and it was "something special".

"I was in the salon in the Emerald City for one of my scenes and I was Elphaba's beautician," she said.

"In another scene, I am dancing with a guy on stilts."

Ms Field says since filming, she has had a call from the movie's choreographer to be a stand-in for Grande for a new advertising campaign for a well-known jewellery brand.

"I really hope my experience inspires all of my students," she said.

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