• Berwick Gazette
• Pakenham Gazette

By Kelly Yates

3rd March 2010 02:01:05 AM

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THE winner of last weekend’s Berwick Show Star Search competition is preparing to take to the West End stage in London later this year.

Emily Mulholland from Endeavour Hills took out first place in the open section of the singing competition last Saturday night after wowing crowds with a musical theatre routine.

The 19-year-old, who has been singing for 11 years, says she has a passion for musical theatre.

“I want to have done Les Miserables professionally just once before I die,” she said.

With performing on Broadway being Ms Mulholland’s number one goal, she believes London will be a stepping stone in her career.

“London is climbing up the ladder in terms of theatre shows,” she said.

“If I get to Broadway I’ll be there for my whole life.

“I’m never going to stop performing.”

When Ms Mulholland was young, she remembers watching many musicals.

“Mum got me a copy of Annie. Many people thought I was weird because instead of watching cartoons like other kids I’d watch Annie every day.”

Ms Mulholland is also a classical opera singer.

“I’ve done shows with the Victorian Opera and Opera Australia,” she said.

“Opera is amazing but when it comes down to it I pick musical theatre because there is a bigger range of things to do.”

The performer sang “Astonishing” from Little Women at the Berwick Show Star Search finals on Saturday night, a piece she describes as a “character piece.”

“I was worried the audience wouldn’t respond. But obviously the judges did,” she said. “I had an audition for an agency that morning so I was up very early. I was tired but my adrenaline pushed me through it.”

Star Search organiser Naomi Horsley said this year’s event raised more than $800 for the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life.

Thirteen-year-old Haylie-Grace Sulyok from Endeavour Hills won first place in the junior section, with Lynbrook’s Jake Heurea coming second and Hannah Radford getting third.

Endeavour Hills resident Shannon Arfaras was placed second in the open category and Rachael Graham came third.

The people’s choice award on the day went to Narre Warren South’s Shanelle Jacobs.

The finalists in the competition will perform a free showcase concert at the Central Hotel in Beaconsfield on Saturday 6 March, at 7pm.

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