BORN into Loughton’s answer to the Von Trapp family, actress Danielle Black’s path into show business was almost inevitable.

“My mother was the first woman to be accepted into the Magic Circle and my father was her assistant,” the bubbly 17-year-old tells me. “Now my brother has started to perform magic and both my younger sisters sing, dance and act.”

Herself a student of the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Danielle has been treading the boards since she was just nine years old, and this festive season sees her starring in her first professional show as Cinderella in Harlow Playhouse’s annual pantomime, alongside Sandra Dickinson, CBBC presenter Ben Hanson and Any Dream Will Do finalist Rob McVeigh.

The winner of the Playhouse’s Search for a Cinderella contest, Harlow-born Danielle made it through two auditions, beating more than 40 local youngsters, to be unveiled the rightful owner of that glass slipper in September. “It was a bit like X Factor,” the charming teenager says of the audition process.

Clearly ambitious, but thankfully lacking any of that annoying stage school arrogance, Danielle, who cites going to watch Grease and Wicked as inspiration, sees the role as the perfect platform to launch her West End career.

“I was over the moon, when I got the phone call saying I had got the part of Cinderella. I couldn’t believe it and jumped up and down. My dream is to be in the West End, so this will be a fantastic stepping stone.

Described by director Guy Pascall as “a brilliant young actress”, Danielle wasn’t the only Black family member to be unable to control her emotions.

“When I called my mum she screamed down the phone, she has always wanted to see me on stage and I am enjoying every minute of it.”

No stranger to the Playhouse stage, Danielle has previously appeared in Oliver!, Robin Hood, Babes in the Wood and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and her experience has obviously paid off, as she appears to be taking everything in her stride like the seasoned-pros she is co-starring with.

“Rehearsals only started this week, so we haven’t got very long, but I’m sure as we progress everything will become clear,” she says calmly.

But despite her professionalism, the budding young star, whose sister is also one of the senior dancers in the show, can’t hide her excitement: “I can’t wait to get on that stage. My mum has already booked 30 tickets.”

Cinderella runs at the Harlow Playhouse from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, January 10. Tickets: 01279 435641, www.playhouseharlow.com (£10-£16.50).