A YOUTH theatre company has been selected to perform at one of the most prestigious venues in the country next month.

Redbridge Youth Theatre Workshop (RYTW) will be performing at the National Theatre in central London on July 4, after getting through to the final stage of its Connections 500 festival.

Now in its 21st year, Connections 500 gives young people the opportunity to perform to wider audiences at prestigious theatres across the country.

The group of 31 youngsters from Redbridge Drama Centre will perform their version of Gargantua by Carl Grose, which tells the story of a couple who give birth to a giant baby after a two and a half-year pregnancy.

RYTW is one of only 12 groups selected from the 500 who took part in the initial stages of the festival earlier this year.

Seventeen-year-old youth performer Ailish Farrell said: “I think it’s a great opportunity for Redbridge Youth Theatre Workshop to get more noticed for what we do.”

Directors Chris Bocking and Liam Noble added: “When we first looked at the script both of us said 'Well, I don’t know how we’ll do that!' And, if for no other reason than that we chose it!

“Giant babies, helicopters, tanks and mass destruction were just a few of the challenges, but as usual RYTW came with us on the journey to produce a piece we are all very proud of.

“We are so proud and privileged to have such committed and incredibly hard-working group of young people and we are sure this will be something they will all remember for the rest of their lives.”

After a successful string of performances at Redbridge Drama Centre in South Woodford, the budding performers took to the stage at the Theatre Royal Stratford East on May 13.

After wowing judges in Stratford, they will close Connections 500 festival on July 4.

For tickets and more information see the website.

https://redbridgedramacentre.co.uk/RedbridgeDramaCentre.dll/Home