YOUNGSTERS from a Leigh theatre school are preparing to take to the stage at the Cliffs Pavilion after being selected to star in hit musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The children, from Expressions Theatre Arts, were chosen out of dozens of theatre schools and now pupils will perform alongside Ru Paul’s Drag Race winner The Vivienne in the Westcliff production.
Having secured the role of “the urchins”, the students will star alongside a number of big name performers including Liam Fox, Adam Garcia and drag queen, The Vivienne.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will arrive in Southend next week (Image: Crossroads Live)
The urchins are the unfortunate youngsters who have been caught by the infamous Child Catcher and locked in the sewers by the youth-hating queen.
Emma Wise is the owner of Expressions Theatre Arts and said she first heard about the opportunity after the producers of the show, Crossroads Live, reached out to south Essex performing arts schools.
The show is touring the whole country and the youngsters will perform in the five shows at the Cliffs Pavilion later this month.
“This isn’t a usual thing for production companies to do, and when we heard that we’d been successful with our auditions we were just thrilled,” said Emma.
“It’s such a lovely opportunity for them to have their first professional job with such a lovely and supportive company.
“Of course there’s all the normal nerves, but we found out in August and have been busy rehearsing ever since.”
Emma, who opened her school in Leigh in 2010, said that her students will have a mix of dancing, acting and singing roles in the production, with some even selected for solo performances.
“It’s so brilliant that they’re having this experience so early on,” she said.
“These girls are aged between ten and 12 and they’re just so excited and honoured to have been chosen.”
The students from Expressions Theatre Arts are likely to receive a showbiz crash course from their co-stars.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will run a matinee and evening show every day between Tuesday November 12 and Saturday November 16.
Tickets can be purchased at Trafalgartickets.com
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