By Nick Griffiths

Last updated at 08:56, Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Three teenage actors from Carlisle are following in the footsteps of Les Miserables film star Eddie Redmayne and Hollywood A-list actor Jude Law after landing roles with an acclaimed theatre company.

From left, Jack McNeill, Jamie Dodd and Sarah Hughes

Sarah Hughes, 15, Jamie Dodd, 16, and Jack McNeill, 16, beat off daunting competition from more than 3,000 rivals to nail parts with the National Youth Music Theatre. All three, who are members of the StagedRight Youth Theatre in Carlisle, took part in regional auditions in Newcastle.

They were then called to London where they were put through rigorous dance, singing and acting sessions.

The three then had a nervous wait until an email arrived confirming they had all won coveted roles with the national theatre company, where Redmayne and Law started their careers.

Sarah is to appear in a new musical, entitled The Other School, and will perform in London.

Jamie and Jack are to appear in the Broadway hit West Side Story for six performances in Manchester, a production featuring a 30-piece orchestra.

All three will rehearse for three weeks this summer in London before moving to the venues staging the shows. As part of the theatre’s 2013 company they will also be invited to appear in other events and performances, including a Christmas concert at London’s Covent Garden.

David McNeill, principal of StagedRight, said: “We are over the moon and bursting with pride that three of our students have beaten off so many talented people to win roles with such a high profile and internationally-recognised company.

“To have one student audition successfully would have been a thrill, but to have three is beyond our dreams.

“We knew they were talented and this will give them a unique and invaluable opportunity.

“They so deserve to be there.”

Sarah, Jamie and Jack have been members of the StagedRight Youth Theatre for a number of years. They have each played a variety of roles which gave them the confidence and experience to move forward in the arts.

First published at 08:52, Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk