DORCHESTER’S young actors have proved they are the stars of the future.

For the past nine months, senior members of the town’s Youth Theatre have been working with the National Theatre on its Connections scheme to find the best young performers in the country.

As part of Connections, 10 new plays are rehearsed and performed by more than 200 young acting groups in major theatres all across the country.

Dorchester Youth Theatre (DYT) was one of 30 teams chosen to perform Jemma Kennedy’s Don’t Feed The Animals, first at Thomas Hardye School theatre and then in the TR2 Drum at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth where they were coached and watched by a National Theatre director.

Following Plymouth, DYT was selected as the best adaptation of Don’t Feed The Animals nationally and will now perform the show at National’s Olivier Theatre and new venue, The Shed on July 4.

In Don’t Feed The Animals, the theatre group play a band of teens who work together to save an ailing circus.

Jo Simons, the director of DYT said: “There were 32 groups performing Don’t Feed The Animals so I am so proud of the kids that we got through. When I told them, there were tears and screams – everyone was so shocked and delighted.

“It’s fantastic to get this recognition for Dorchester Youth Theatre. We are thrilled to be going to London, it will be such a unique experience for our young people who have all worked so hard.”

Jo added: “In addition to delivering a fabulous performance, the National were also extremely impressed with how our young people conducted themselves throughout workshops and rehearsals at Plymouth, with such energy and enthusiasm over a very long day”

Before the London performance, playwright Jemma Kennedy will come to Dorchester with one of the National Theatre directors, for a rehearsal session with DYT to work with them in preparing for performing at the world-famous venue.

The theatre group’s chairwoman Carol Burgess said: “We are all so excited. It’s been a huge team effort, so much has been involved in getting to this stage and we also have a very dedicated team of parents and volunteers who help support DYT. “We also work in partnership with Dorchester Arts where we rehearse and are very grateful for the support received and also to the Thomas Hardye School, for the use of their theatre space. This is a huge achievement and Dorchester should be very proud of its youth theatre.”

  • For further information about Dorchester Youth Theatre and their summer Combined Arts Week scheme, call Dorchester Arts Centre on 01305 266926.