Schoolchildren will perform in a professional theatre production next month.

One hundred and twenty children from Brampton Primary School in Newham and Churchfields Junior School in Redbridge will perform in Benjamin Britten’s masterpiece Noye’s Fludde at Theatre Royal Stratford East from Monday, July 1, to Saturday, July 13, in a collaboration with English National Opera. This new production will combine the talents of professional singers, actors and musicians with those of schoolchildren and the community.

Noye’s Fludde is a one-act opera by the British composer Benjamin Britten, based on the Old Testament story of Noah’s Ark. East London schoolchildren will appear as the Animal Chorus, rehearsing weekly at their schools, before joining the full company.

A spokesperson for Theatre Royal Stratford East said: “Theatre Royal Stratford East and English National Opera have combined the community tradition of traditional theatre by bringing this show to the Stratford East stage with a huge community cast, including 120 local schoolchildren, 70 young musicians from East London schools, adult community choirs and a lead cast of children drawn from schools across London. It’s going to be an exhilarating event!”

Noye’s Fludde speaks of the promise of a new beginning. God is angry, and a flood is coming. But Noah is building a boat: wide enough and deep enough not just for his family, but for a cargo of birds and beasts, both great and small. For 40 days and 40 nights, this chorus of unlikely shipmates endure a mighty storm, in the hope that a new world will be waiting for them on the other side.

Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN, Monday, July 1, to Saturday, July 13. Details: 020 8534 0310 stratfordeast.com