Cool young talent stars in summer stage chiller

Local youngsters are playing key roles in Sheringham Little Theatre’s summer season thriller. Four students have joined the cast of Turn of the Screw, a chilling ghost story being performed in August. They take it in turns to play Miles and Flora, two orphaned youngsters abandoned by their uncle at his grand country house. Corbyn Smith and Olivia Linford, along with Rose Catterall and Riley Massingham will alternate in the tense drama, which is based on the Henry James’ novel first written in 1898, but regarded as one of the most influential ghost stories ever with plot twists right until the end.

Corbyn, 15, from Sheringham who has appeared in several youth productions at the theatre and has ambitions of performing career, said: “I am really excited about working with professional actors so I can gain experience and learn stagecraft.”

Olivia, 11, from Cromer appeared in the venue’s recent youth production of Matilda, while Rose, 9, and Riley, 12, from Sheringham and Blakeney will be taking their first steps on stage.

Theatre director Debbie Thompson said: “The children’s governess suspects they are the link to the mysterious figures she sees around the house – so the youngsters are playing key roles. “We auditioned for the parts and our young cast are a mix of students who have been involved with the Little Theatre productions in the past and those who are new to us. “They will be working with experienced professional cast – including two other former SLT youngsters Ollie Westlake and Meg Artherton who have gone on to professional drama careers, which is a great inspiration for them,” she added.

It will be the summer drama season directing debut of Katie Thompson, Debbie’s daughter and another familiar face who has risen through the youth theatre ranks to make a career in the industry.

She aims to add some new ideas into the classic drama such as atmospheric lighting and special effects, including sound effects, and some live singing.

Katie added: “Any changes with be subtle as you cannot mess with a classic script, but I hope to make it more relevant to modern stage while keeping it set in Victorian times.”

Turn of the Screw runs from August 9-14. The other summer shows are:

· July 30- August 7 – Three Musketeers – a madcap comedy take on the classic swashbuckling adventure

· August 16-24 – It’s Her Turn Now – a new slant on a classic Ray Cooney farce revolving around a woman MP

· August 27-31 – Relatively Speaking – Alan Ayckbourn’s breakthrough farce from the 1960s centred two couples.

Tickets and more information from here or the box office on 01263 822347.