FRESH from appearing alongside dozens of youngsters in the West End a group of Ipswich theatre students are preparing for a special performance of the show.

FRESH from appearing with dozens of youngsters in the West End, a group of Ipswich theatre students are preparing for a special performance of the show.

Thirteen pupils from Ipswich Theatretrain joined a cast of 200 on stage at the Old Vic for a production called Protest.

The play was specially written by Robert Hyman. It features the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, six farm workers from Dorset who were banished to Australia for resisting a wage cut.

The show caught the attention of the Trade Union Congress. And TUC members in the audience on April 14 were so impressed with what they saw, they invited the cast of the Theatretrain production to perform the show at this summer's TUC conference in Dorset.

The invitation was not the only surprise of the night for the youngsters, aged nine to 18, who come from Theatretrain schools from across the country.

One of the company's patrons, Kate Williams, also arrived to narrate the first act of the show.

The chance to appear on a West End stage was a thrill to all those who took part.

The show, which also includes Let Loose, a story about suffragettes, school rebels, punks and eco warriors, was a sell-out.

Pupils at Ipswich Theatretrain are also preparing for a show called Love And Peace to be staged at the New Wolsey Theatre on June 5 as part of the theatre's Pulse festival, and a production at Her Majesty's Theatre in London in July.

Ipswich Theatretrain was launched in September last year.

It offers six to 18-year-olds the opportunity to learn dance, singing and drama.

It is one of 30 Theatretrain centres across the country.

For more information about Ipswich Theatretrain contact Linda Lomas on 01473 726880.

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