A SCHOOLGIRL from Whiteparish has landed a role in Arthur Miller’s classic play All My Sons at Salisbury Playhouse after learning an American accent on YouTube.

Eleven-year-old Jessica Hammond will be playing Bert in the play which runs until Saturday on the main stage.

She has been going to the Stagecoach Salisbury theatre school for three years and said she has “always wanted to be an actress”.

Although it will be her biggest role to date, Jessica has previously appeared as part of the choir in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.

“Going on stage for the first time was really scary but after a while you get used to it,” she said.

Jessica says that learning lines comes naturally to her.

“I just read them out loud. People have different methods but the best way is to read them to a friend.”

All My Sons is set shortly after the end of the Second World War and is based on a true story. It was Arthur Miller’s first successful play and he went on to become one of the most highly regarded playwrights of the 20th century.

In the play, Jessica has to speak in an American accent and play the role of Bert – a boy.

But, having spent some time at an American school when she was younger, she has a small advantage.

“You can type how to do an American accent into YouTube and you will find loads of videos,” Jessica said.

“The best way to do it is to purse your lips a little bit more.

“It isn’t really that strange playing a boy because he is very much like me – cheeky and energetic.”

Edith Thornton, principal at Stagecoach Salisbury, said: “I put Jessica forward for this part and I am delighted that she has the chance to shine.”

To book tickets, call the box office on 01722 320 333 or visit salisburyplayhouse.com.