A TEENAGER made her directing debut and raised £1,500 for a charity that has provided support and care to one of her closest friends. Willie Russell s Blood Brothers was 16-year-old Lisette Cooke s first venture into the world of producing and directing

A TEENAGER made her directing debut and raised £1,500 for a charity that has provided support and care to one of her closest friends.

Willie Russell's Blood Brothers was 16-year-old Lisette Cooke's first venture into the world of producing and directing and it was a resounding success.

The play was given a standing ovation when it was shown in front of an audience of 300 people at the St Ivo School last month (February).

Money raised from the performance will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital, which provided, and continues to provide, care to Lisette's friend, Georgina Geeson, who was born with a heart problem.

Lisette, of Landcliffe Close, St Ives, told The Hunts Post her directing experience had been amazing. She said: "It is something I have wanted to do for a long time and I thought it would be nice to tie it in with raising money for a charity that has helped one of my closest friends."

It took more than four months for Lisette and her team of 12 performers and nine support staff to bring the show together.

"I felt petrified on the opening night but I knew I had the whole team behind me," said Lisette. "We did have a few technical difficulties but the audience's cheers at the end of the show made it all worth while.

"I still can't believe I managed to pull it off."

Lisette is hoping to pursue a full-time career as a director when she leaves the school.

Her father Geoff Cooke added: "Considering the magnitude of the Blood Brothers script, and the fact that this particular rendition was produced, directed and performed by students, all of whom were under 16 years of age, it was an amazing achievement.