A PAIR of young actors who trod the boards with Petersfield Youth Theatre (PYT) are nearing the big time after landing key roles in a London show.

George Renshaw is having the “most amazing time” after getting the lead role in the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

The 17-year-old is in familiar company as former The Petersfield School (TPS) student Dash Buckley has landed a principal role in the same play while fellow PYT old boy Sam Gaffney is the assistant director.

The show, based on the short story by Washington Irving, will run from August 22-25 at The Other Palace Theatre in Westminster.

George will play the main character, Ichabod Crane, a man of science who encounters village hostility and all things ghostly.

He’s already performed twice with the NYMT – described as “the best youth theatre in the world” by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber – but his latest role is by far the biggest in his thespian career.

“It’s been amazing and I’ve really enjoyed the whole rehearsal process,” said the former Churcher’s College student, who was presented with the Daniel Day Lewis Award by Petersfield Town Council last year for his part in a school production of Miss Saigon.

“The NYMT is great because it gives young people a sense of the professional atmosphere and if there’s anyone out there that wants to take the next step into the industry and a professional environment then definitely audition for them.”

Dash, a former deputy head boy at TPS, had to ‘sing, dance and act’ during his NYMT rehearsal to get the role of Klaus. His love affair with theatre started when was six after watching a Winton Players panto, while he was enthralled with the drama and music departments at TPS.

He was part of the school’s memorable production of Cats at the Kings Theatre Southsea and has nothing but praise for PYT, as they are “brilliant” and offer “West End quality training”.

“I was thrilled when I heard that I had got the part,” he said on getting the Klaus role.

“The rehearsals have been full on and hard work but it’s so exciting working with such a well-regarded company.”

The PYT influence doesn’t end there as another former member, Jack Titley, will be assistant stage manager for the August 15-18 NYMT production of The Beautiful Game.