THEY always say break a leg – but this turned out to be all too real for one young performer.

Charlotte Burville was gearing up for her dancing role in the Christmas pantomime Cinderella at the Theatre Royal in Winchester when disaster struck.

The 11-year-old has a fracture just above her ankle after tripping over as she left school on her way to the dress rehearsal just before the first show on Wednesday, December 7.

Now recovering at home, the Weeke Primary School pupil was left devastated after realising she would miss out on the role in the chorus line she had waited two years for.

“I’m disappointed,” said Charlotte, of Westman Road, Weeke.

“It’s quite annoying because it was really fun last time and I was really looking forward to it.”

Charlotte, who is a member of Sally Stanyard School of Dance was one of the children lucky enough to be chosen two years ago, but casting last year was only for boys.

This time around Charlotte was one of 36 people chosen out of 280 for three rotating casts back in July playing characters including a flower girl and villager.

Mother Elizabeth Burville, who works in a school finance office, said: “She was devastated.

“To fall at the very last hurdle, it’s cruel.”

Kate Raines, communications manager for the theatre, said: “It’s that whole break a leg thing coming true, you couldn’t make it up really, it’s just so unfortunate.”

Charlotte will be able to go and watch the final performance and join the cast celebrations afterwards.