A NATIONAL music theatre company for young people has invited three secondary school pupils from St Albans to train with it.

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bagge and 12 year olds Matt Sims and Alex Lewis, all performing arts students at Beaumont School, have been invited to join 300 other 11-21 year olds at the Youth Music Theatre (YMT) after being selected from over 1,200 applicants.

Students took part in a three-hour-long workshop audition during which they had to sing, dance and act. The successful pupils have each been invited to take part in a two week residential stay during the summer holidays, culminating in performances at various theatres throughout the UK.

Sophie will be performing at the Aberdeen Festival, Alex in Kingston, and Matt at a theatre in Bracknell. Matt will be working with the associate director from West End shows Matilda and Singing in the Rain.

Zoe Shepherd, head of drama at Beaumont and teacher ambassador for YMT, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our talented students to be recognised at national level.”

Sophie said she was looking forward to going to Aberdeen, meeting new people and working with a professional team.

Alex added: “I’m really looking forward to going to YMT and hope it opens up new horizons for me.”

A spokesperson for YMT said the 300 young people – a combination of actors, singers, musicians and technical staff – would work with some of this country’s best creative practitioners to create about eight new shows across the UK this year.

The charitable organisation offers young people a bridge between school or local music theatre and formal training at drama school, with many going on into acting, music or stage productions.