Mahalia Bangit doesn’t want her time in Opera Australia’s The King and I to end.
The seven-year-old from Hopetoun Park has been performing in the play alongside Lisa McCune and Lou Diamond Phillips at the Princess Theatre since June.
“She auditioned last year following a call-out through Opera Australia,” mum Cindy Bangit said.
“She got through all the early stages and found out in December she would be part of the cast.”
It’s been Mahalia’s first big show, but she’s been performing since she was three.
“She has been doing singing and dancing lessons since she was three and has also done some modelling,” Ms Bangit said.
“I teach dancing and her elder sister was in Billy Elliott, so it’s in the family.”
Ms Bangit said Mahalia had not been overawed by the situation.
“She has taken it in her stride being on stage with celebrities. She plays one of the king’s princesses and spends quite a bit of time on stage.
“A lot of her friends and family have been to watch her.
“It’s been a bit of a juggle, but she’s still been able to attend Pentland Primary School and do all her activities.”
So what’s next when the play closes at the end of this month? “She’ll be disappointed,” Ms Bangit said. “She’s already asked if she can start drama lessons and she wants to perform when she grows up.”
