She was the sidelined child who defied the odds and dared to dream.<br/> <br />Now the true life rags-to-riches tale of singer Susan Boyle is told in a musical, aptly titled "I Dreamed A Dream".<br/> <br />The singer made a special appearance at the press premiere on Tuesday (March 27) in the northern English city of Newcastle, close to Scotland, where Boyle grew up.<br/> <br />Fellow Scot, the actress Elaine C. Smith, plays the singer and also co-wrote the musical.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Actress Elaine C. Smith, Who Plays Susan Boyle, saying (English):<br/> <br />"Actually what had happened to her was quite magical, and if we were going to do a stage show it was going to be theatrical and magical and tell the fairy story but tell the darkness of it as well."<br/> <br />The emotional story starts from Boyle's birth, when doctors told her parents "not to expect too much" because of a condition known as perinatal asphyxia, a condition which deprives a newborn of oxygen, which could result in physical harm, usually to the brain.<br/> <br />Boyle's much-publicised grim life pre-"Britain's Got Talent" is also portrayed, growing up on a council estate, as is her dream as a teenager of finding true love, shattered by her overprotective father.<br/> <br />About 200 fans from around the world converged in Newcastle to see the musical, from as far away as Australia and the United States.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Susan Boyle Fan Cathy Garroway From Sydney, Australia, saying (English):<br/> <br />"I decided back in June to attend the Susan Boyle musical from Australia, even though at that stage Susan hadn't been announced as appearing in the show."<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Susan Boyle Fan, Jeannie Odom From Sacramento, California, United States, saying (English):<br/> <br />"Susan is everybody, she's your sister, she's your neighbour, she's the person you sit next to in church and sing with. She's the teller at the bank."<br/> <br />Reactions of the show were mainly positive.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Susan Boyle Fans, Jeanette (Left) And Her Mother Betty, From County Durham In England, Saying (English):<br/> <br />"It's just as well there weren't any chandeliers, otherwise it would've come crashing to the floor. Fabulous voice."<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Susan Boyle Fan, Hugh Whelan, From Bathgate, Scotland, saying (English):<br/> <br />"It's been a wonderful occasion. If it was emotional for me, I can't begin to imagine how emotional it was for the family."<br/> <br />A Hollywood movie about Boyle's "Cinderella" story is said to be in the works, but for now, fans can see "I Dreamed A Dream" at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle until March 31.<br/> <br />Cindy Martin, Reuters
