AN actress from Westcliff who appeared in a film with Oscar-winner Reece Witherspoon, is lighting up stage and screen in Hollywood.

Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett, 31, was born in Orsett, but grew up in Westminster Drive, and followed the bright lights of showbusiness to Los Angeles in 2010.

Now after starring in Water for Elephants with Reece Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson as well as Life of Pi and the Last Descendant, Lindsay is turning her focus to the stage.

She said: “I started acting when I was sevenwhen my dad took me to my first drama class at the Palace Theatre in Westcliff. I performed with the drama group in local festivals in Leigh, Westcliff and Southend.”

Stints at drama school followed and now Lindsay is getting ready for a performance of the Vagina Monologues in Hollywood to raise awareness for Vday – a worldwide event hoping to bring an end to violence against women.

As well as acting, Lindsay will also help produce the play with profits going to a women’s charity in LA.

Lindsay said: “I work closely with director Nino Gordeli here in LA. I approached her last year expressing my interest in putting on this show.

From there it expanded and we built a production team and cast and crew. I have a performance role in the play as well as producing the show along with Nino and Suzanne Berman.”

After making the move across the Atlantic, Lindsay says there are some things she can’t find in her new hometown, including Rossi ice cream.

Lindsay said: “I was home last year and I had a list of must have’s while I was there.

At the top of the list was having a Rossi’s ice cream. I’m so jealous you get to out and just get one whenever you want.

“Anytime I’m home I always head to Leigh as it is one of my favourite places to go. We will always make a trip down to Old Leigh and grab lunch and an ice cream and then walk the beaches and go shopping.”

Looking to the future Lindsay, who was a pupil at St Bernard’s High School in Westcliff, where Helen Mirren also studied, plans to focus on comedy.

She said: “I perform on a regular basis around Hollywood, and I train at the Upright Citizens Brigade which is the school Amy Poehler started with her troupe.

“I also host a show twice a month at the Ice House Comedy Club.”