Children from a local theatre school are in for a 'truly scrumptious' experience as they join the celebrity cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The dreams of eight young performers at the Anglia Region Theatre School (ARTS) have come true as they have been selected to perform alongside Eastenders star Charlie Brooks and Emmerdale veteran Liam Fox at the end of September.
From September 24 to 29, the children will step onto the Theatre Royal stage as urchins as part of the UK tour's company of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Victoria Winship, principal and co-founder of ARTS, was delighted to hear the news.
She said: "We heard at the end of the summer holidays.
"We had submitted the audition videos quite a few weeks before so it was a wonderful surprise when we heard."
This will be the first professional show for the children, although they have previously trodden the boards at the Theatre Royal, Sadler's Wells in London, and some even at Disneyland Paris.
The youngest "urchin" cast is nine, and the oldest is 12.
The performers have been working hard to learn the song lyrics, dances and even parts of the script ahead of the show in just a few weeks.
READ MORE: First look at hit musical coming to Norwich with EastEnders star
Victoria said: "They are taking it all in their stride, although I’m sure there will be a few nerves on the first day.
"Once the company arrives in Norwich, the children will have rehearsals with the Chitty team onstage followed by costume fittings ahead of their first performance that same day."
She added: "They are all extremely excited to be meeting such big names in the theatre world and being on the same stage as they are.
"I’m sure they are going to have an amazing experience and learn a great deal from being involved in this wonderful production."
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