MORE than 40 youngsters are taking part in this year’s show by a charity dedicated to helping young people enjoy the theatre for free.

RicNic is this year staging Guys and Dolls and began rehearsals at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College on Monday.

The 16 to 20-year-olds will bring the finished production to East Oxford’s Pegasus Theatre from August 28 to 31 for six shows.

Director Isabel Ogilvie-Smith, 18, said: “I’m so impressed with the way rehearsals have gone today. Everyone has so much energy.”

Summertown’s Erin Hughes is pictured playing Sergeant Sarah Brown alongside Blackbird Leys’ Ashton Weller, 20, playing Sky Masterson.

Erin said: “Rehearsals have been lovely, I want to demonstrate that teenagers can put on a show above and beyond the quality of adult productions.”

Ashton added: “Rehearsals are going really well. I’m feeling right in place already and it’s only the first day. Everyone’s become part of a team immediately.”

Sixth-form student Sophie Sheerin, 18, from Abingdon, is playing one of the Hot Box girls. She said: “It’s incredible to find a production that maintains such a professional work ethic while being good fun.”