YEAR 10 Wellington School pupil Chloe Shaw has been selected from more than 1,000 hopeful youngsters to take part in a prestigious theatre company’s 2016 season.

Chloe beat off stiff competition to be selected for one of four shows the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) is performing this season.

The company, whose patrons include Jude Law, Sheridan Smith and Idris Elba, is rehearsing for a national tour of The Pied Piper of Hamlin. The company’s founder, director and playwright Jeremy James Taylor OBE, will direct.The Pied Piper cast will rehearse over Easter for a week and performances will take place throughout the summer, culminating in a concert in London and a Gala Christmas Concert in St John’s Smith Square.

“I am thrilled to be included in this season and to be given the opportunity to perform alongside such a talented group,” said Chloe. “The auditions were quite nerve-wracking – we had regional audition, then the final 200 went to London for the last stage. To be one of such a small cast is a huge privilege and I am really looking forward to the rehearsals at Easter.”