A THEATRE fan had a dream come true after he was given the chance to work on major shows in the West End.

Clacton County High School pupil Charlie Smith jumped at the chance to work backstage at shows such as Billy Elliott, Thriller Live and Jersey Boys, in London.

The 17-year-old, of North Road, Great Clacton, was selected to take part in a technical theatre summer school, run by the National Theatre, in London.

Charlie said: “It was pretty amazing. It was very different from work I have done before, and a lot more pressured. I could not believe it, because I am such a young age to have worked in those places.”

In fact, Charlie joined the summer school at the youngest possible age, having applied at 16, the minimum age for the programme. The experience has convinced him theatre production is what he wants to do professionally, despite the hard work and long hours – staff often work from 10am until 10pm.

Charlie said he enjoyed all parts of the placement.

“I got different things out of all of them. They were all pretty awesome,” he said.

As well as getting the chance to tour major venues including the Royal Opera House as a technician, Charlie also spent four weeks at the Soho Theatre as technical sound designer for the National Youth Theatre’s annual summer residency.

Charlie first got involved in acting, and was involved in numerous school shows, but he later turned to production and is now taking a Btec course in theatre production.

He also works regularly at the West Cliff Theatre, in Clacton.

Charlie gave his thanks to everyone who had supported his theatre work.

l Students on production courses at Clacton County High School are benefiting from a new specialised teaching space.

Part of the school’s A block was converted during the summer into a dedicated lights and sound area, with a safe rigging space, state-of-the-art lighting desks, plus digital, analogue sound mixing desks and costume area.