Avon casts first narrator through East 15 acting school partnership

HarperCollins has expanded its partnership with East 15 Acting School, casting its first Avon narrator through an open audition pool.

The partnership with the Essex-based drama school was launched last year to cast three roles in Luan Goldie’s Nightingale Point (HQ).

Several other narrators have been found through the scheme since and now it has been used to cast student Julia Bird as Jess in Debbie Howells' 15th October title The Vow.

The Vow follows the story of Amy, a blushing bride-to-be whose perfect world falls apart when her fiancé disappears on his way home from work. “Gentleman Jack” actress Sarah Durham will narrate Bird’s fictional mother with Julie Maisey and Joseph Balderrama completing the cast.

Howells said: “I'm so thrilled about this casting. As soon as I heard Julia's voice, I knew that she would be perfect to read Jess and bring to life her spark and determination.”

Avon and HQ audio editor Rebecca Fortuin said: “The students of East 15 never fail to impress me but Julia really stood out in her open audition and I’m delighted to have found a role for her. It’s also great to see the students being cast in roles across the company as our partnership with the school expands.”