A group of performing arts students at a Suffolk college are to perform at the National Theatre in London on July 1.

Following in the footsteps of acting greats Laurence Olivier and Dame Judi Dench, students from Suffolk New College will take to the Dorfman Stage to perform a new play called 'You don't need to make a big song and dance out of it'.

Suffolk New College performing arts is one of 10 companies out of 228 from across the UK that has been selected by the National Theatre's programme Connections.

Ipswich Star: Imogen Fraser (left) and Kelly Fletcher (right), the Performing Arts lecturersImogen Fraser (left) and Kelly Fletcher (right), the Performing Arts lecturers (Image: Suffolk New College)

Performing Arts lecturers Imogen Fraser and Kelly Fletcher said they are over the moon about the production being selected.

Imogen said: "When I got the call to say our company had been selected to perform at the National Theatre, I got very emotional as it is such a big event for us."

Seventeen-year-old performing arts students Shannon Mann from Ipswich said: "I was buzzing and so excited when I found out the news.

Ipswich Star: Shannon Mann will be one of the performers at the National Theatre in LondonShannon Mann will be one of the performers at the National Theatre in London (Image: Suffolk New College)

"I think it will be a great experience, bit daunting but I'm going to go out there and do what I can."