After two gruelling rounds and many memorable performances, Alexandra Slater has been named as the 2017 Young Actor Of Mann.

During the final round of performances, held at the Ballakermeen Theatre on Wednesday, April 19, Alexandra wowed the adjudicator with her two pieces, ’Astrid’s Speech’, taken from ’Eight’, a series of monologues written by Ella Hickson, and a spirited performance of the song ’A Privilege to Pee’, taken from the Broadway musical ’Urinetown.’

The 17-year-old Ballakermeen drama student was one of eight finalists in this year’s competition. The other competitors were second-placed Joseph Long, Faye Pendlebury, Saoirse Coyle Carroll, Laeth Quellin, Robyn-Mae Lawler, Andrew Halstein and Jack Smollen.

Adjudicator Robert Meadows praised Alexandra’s performances, saying that despite playing an older role, she pulled it off with flare and sincerity. He also praised her musical number, saying that she was ’totally believable’.

Alexandra said that she was extremely excited about winning the competition and was surprised to win, given that the other competitors were so good.

The budding star of the stage started performing when she was just five years old, and has appeared many times in productions across the island. She recently shared the leading role of ’Dorothy’ in the ’The Wizard of Oz’, the Manx Operatic Society’s festive production of the classic film.

The Events organiser from the MADf, Michael Goodman, said the competition highlighted the amount of talented young actors on the island.

’Once again the students superbly demonstrated the incredibly high level of acting talent on the island.

’Everyone though Alexandra’s performance was full of quality.

’The adjudicator was incredibly impressed with the standard of all the performances, and with the overall standard of acting on the island.’

The prize for the winning actor is a £500 bursary to study drama in the UK.

The Young Actor Of Mann competition is organised by the Manx Amateur Drama Federation, with help from the Isle of Man Arts Council.