YOUNG actors from the Churchill Theatre got a chance to perform on the South Bank as part of a national competition.

The Churchill’s Youth Theatre took to the stage at the Oliver Theatre as part of the annual New Connections project.

New Connections, run by the National Theatre, gives teenagers across the UK the chance to perform a new script in their home venue.

The Churchill’s Youth Theatre was one of only 12 the from 200 groups taking part which were selected to perform at the South Bank venue.

Young people aged between 14 and 18 performed Heartbreak Beautiful in Bromley in March and at the Hampstead Theatre in April. They then took it to the South Bank on July 7.

The Churchill’s creative development manager, Liam Shea, who also co-directed the play, said: “Performing at The Churchill was a great experience for these budding performers, but to act on stage at the National is an amazing opportunity for any actor and therefore a huge achievement for the 22 young people involved.”

Julia Potts, head of creative learning for Ambassador Theatre Group said: “We are enormously proud of the young cast; they overcame an enormous challenge of developing their performances from a small space to the epic Olivier stage and auditorium.

“They exuded confidence and a great deal of talent was on display. The audience was enthralled."

The Churchill’s Creative Development department runs regular classes for children and adults, as well as community outreach projects and workshops.

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