She was the sidelined child who defied the odds and dared to dream.
Now the true life rags-to-riches tale of singer Susan Boyle is told in a musical, aptly titled "I Dreamed A Dream".
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.
Fellow Scot, the actress Elaine C. Smith, plays the singer and also co-wrote the musical.
SOUNDBITE: Actress Elaine C. Smith, Who Plays Susan Boyle, saying (English):
"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."
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.
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.
About 200 fans from around the world converged in Newcastle to see the musical, from as far away as Australia and the United States.
SOUNDBITE: Susan Boyle Fan Cathy Garroway From Sydney, Australia, saying (English):
"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."
SOUNDBITE: Susan Boyle Fan, Jeannie Odom From Sacramento, California, United States, saying (English):
"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."
Reactions of the show were mainly positive.
SOUNDBITE: Susan Boyle Fans, Jeanette (Left) And Her Mother Betty, From County Durham In England, Saying (English):
"It's just as well there weren't any chandeliers, otherwise it would've come crashing to the floor. Fabulous voice."
SOUNDBITE: Susan Boyle Fan, Hugh Whelan, From Bathgate, Scotland, saying (English):
"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."
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.
Cindy Martin, Reuters
