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Singing in the aisles: Asda worker's West End role
Evening Standard 19.11.09A singing supermarket worker has landed a role as jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald in a West End show.
Hope Augustus, 45, took a job in Asda a year ago and had given up on her hopes of stardom - until she was cast in the play by Bonnie Greer about the singer's friendship with Marilyn Monroe.
Ms Augustus, from Woolwich, has performed in Whale Of A Tale, The Goodbye Girl and The Lion King but became disillusioned after being turned down for major roles.
Instore music: Suzie Kennedy as Marilyn and Hope Augustus as Ella in Charlton's Asda, where the singer has been working
"I had so many knockbacks, I thought at my age I am not going to be Beyoncé," she said.
Then director Colin McFarlane - who met her in auditions two years ago - offered her the role in Marilyn And Ella. Ms Augustus said: "I really see this as a great gift."
Ms Augustus is taking time off from the Charlton store during the show's run at the Apollo. It tells how Monroe - played by Suzie Kennedy - helped Fitzgerald into a whites-only club in 1955 to sing to top producers.
The show is on for the rest of the month on Sundays.
