Emily plays Suellen, one of the sisters of Scarlett O'Hara, in the musical directed by Trevor Nunn.

Buckinghamshire-born Emily, 20, lived in the Aylesbury area until going to college and went to the Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School where she studied music and took private singing lessons, before going on to the sixth form at Lord Williams's School in Thame.

Here she studied drama and during her school days appeared in several shows with ADOS, the Aylesbury Operatic and Dramatic Society at the Civic Centre.

After an intensive one year course at the London School of Musical Theatre, she started her professional career which included both stage and TV work. It was while she was on a Theatre in Education tour of the Wizard of Oz last year that casting for Gone with the Wind began, and after four auditions she got a place in the cast.

In addition to playing Suellen, Emily, like most of the cast of 36, plays several other parts and appears in the chorus. There are a lot of costume changes, and as the costumes involve massive crinoline skirts, things can get pretty crazy backstage.

"The costumes are hard to get used to," says Emily. "At the first run in corsets and crinolines, I fell over!"

With evening performances from Monday to Saturday and matinees on Wednesday and Saturday, it is a busy time for Emily, but she is enjoying herself and says that the whole company are very supportive.

The show sees Trevor Nunn reunited with designer John Napier, his collaborator on smash hits including Cats and Les Misérables. The score is by Margaret Martin who has also adapted the story from Margaret Mitchell's novel.

Set in 1860s Atlanta, Gone with the Wind follows the passionate story of Scarlett O'Hara and her turbulent relationship with the unpredictable Rhett Butler. Against the backdrop of the Civil War, Scarlett embarks on an incredible journey spanning 10 years.

Darius Danesh and Jill Paice lead the cast, playing the iconic roles of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara.

Glasgow born Darius Danesh rose to fame on the hit TV show Pop Idol. In 2006 enoyed success in the musical Chicago playing Billy Flynn, and in 2007 starred as Sky Masterson in the award-winning Guys and Dolls.