Saranna Parlone - from One Sixth Form College to the West End

Actor from Framlingham now part of the A Team after securing her first West End role, just months after leaving drama school.

Six years after leaving a sixth form in Suffolk, a talented actor is six months into her first West End Role.

Saranna Parlone, 24, is originally from Framlingham but is now treading the boards in London after joining the cast of The Mousetrap, the longest running play in the world. Saranna originally moved to London to attend drama school.

The former One Sixth Form College student was on a performing arts course in Ipswich until 2020 where she performed in shows such as Chicago and Sister Act.

After sixth form, Saranna spent a year at Emil Dale on a foundation course before starting a Musical Theatre Degree at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating in November last year.

Shortly after graduation, Saranna joined the cast of The Mousetrap that celebrated it’s 30,000^th performance in 2025, as the understudy for both Mollie Ralston and Miss Casewell, as well as working backstage as Assistant Stage Manager roles. She has just been given the role of Mollie Ralston full time. And her understudy Nancy Doubledee also studied at One Sixth Form College.

Saranna also helped out with the show in terms of social media.

On gaining the role, she said: “I was amazed and dumbfounded and couldn’t quite believe it until the contract came through. I was very lucky that I didn’t have to wait long to hear whether I had got the job because, unlike many auditions, I was told in the room. I had to contain my overwhelming excitement at my front of house job later that evening as I had to keep it a secret. I will never stop being thankful to those who have given me the opportunity to work as an understudy with the ‘The Mousetrap’ as my first professional theatre job, so soon after graduating and it also marks my West End debut.”

So how has it been going?

Saranna continued: “It has been so much fun challenging my brain by covering two roles - two for the price of one you could say. I am also regularly doing two different Assistant Stage Manager. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of what happens behind the scenes in order for a show to run in its entirety.

My legs have also been building a lot of stamina over these months as there is a lot of stairs backstage at The St Martin’s Theatre.”

What is next?

Saranna said: “It still baffles me that one of my biggest dreams was to be on the West End, and here I am.

“Throughout drama school, I became inspired by many different aspects of the industry, discovering many art forms and people who inspired me. So, my dreams for the future are to just keep being creative as an actor, in whatever form of the industry that might be. Also, as I’m sure every aspiring actor knows, I’ve built up an extensive list of roles that I would love to play, so I still dream about playing those too.”

Looking back at her time at One in Suffolk, Saranna reflects: “I have a whole array of memories and reflections from my time at One. I recall learning to play Beatles songs on a multitude of instruments, the incredible teachers I had at One and I have made some friends for life.”

And in terms of advice for other aspiring actors, Saranna concluded: “Listen and absorb as much as you can whilst in training. Try everything you can, and you’ll discover overtime what techniques work for you and what doesn’t. Even if you think you won’t be good at something, push yourself out of your comfort zone. Go big and bold, don’t hold back, and trust yourself. Even if you don’t succeed the first time, don’t give up. Finally, never be afraid to ask for help or guidance, everyone around you wants you to succeed.”

Lois Hinsley is a music teacher from One Sixth Form College who worked with Saranna said: “As a sixth form, we were only set up in 2010 and now we are beginning to see some amazing achievements from some of our alumni. What Saranna has done so soon after graduating is nothing short of miraculous - and we are so proud of her achievements. She is welcome back anytime.”