A young girl is living her dream of performing as an actress on the stage.

Lucy-Mae Beacock was just nine when she was chosen to play Matilda in the RSC’s production of Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End.

Despite being born with spina bifida, Lucy-Mae had always had a passion for pursuing a career on the stage and was overjoyed when she landed this hugely prestigious role. However, her world nearly came crashing down three years ago when she was diagnosed with the degenerative spinal condition scoliosis.

If left untreated, the condition would have worsened and possibly limited her movement and dancing capability. Standard surgery in the UK, involving the fusion of metal rods to her spine, could have spelt an end to Lucy-Mae’s blossoming showbusiness career.

Lucy-Mae said: “Performing is my life and I have worked so hard on my dancing. The thought of not being able to do that was crushing.”

Her best chance of continuing her career meant travelling to the United States for a special operation that restrains growth on one side of her spine to allow the other side to grow and so reverse scoliosis in the upper spine.

The operation was successful, and Lucy-Mae is back to singing and dancing in David Walliams’ Mr Stink - which opened at Chickenshed in July and travels the UK arriving at Watersmeet in Rickmansworth from Sunday, August 25, to Tuesday, August 27.

Lucy-Mae plays Chloe Crumb, a very kind but lonely 12-year-old who invites the homeless ‘Mr Stink’ and his dog, Duchess, to leave behind the wooden bench where they have taken up residence and secretly move into her family’s shed.

Matters become more complicated when Chloe’s mother – who has unfulfilled political ambitions – tries to take credit for Chloe’s generosity. And precisely who is Mr Stink, anyway?

David Walliams said: “Chickenshed is quite rightly a legendary theatre company, not just for its inclusivity but also the incredible quality of its work. Do try and see all their work if you can. Chickenshed is probably the most important theatre company in the world.”

Lucy-Mae not only worked with David Walliams, but was delighted when British presenter, broadcaster and journalist Jeremy Vine, made his professional acting debut with a cameo performance in Mr Stink.

Tickets are on sale at www.watersmeet.co.uk or call the box office on 01923 711063.