Workington’s Theatre Royal Youth (TRY), at Washington Street, has been selected to take part in the National Theatre’s Connections Festival.

A spokesman for the theatre said: “When they first heard they had been selected to take part in the National Theatre’s Connection Festival, members were over the moon.”

The festival is a celebration of new plays written for and performed by young people.

Some of the groups will be selected, by National Theatre directors, to perform their plays at the National Theatre in London.

TRY leader Georgia Douglas-Brown travelled to a directors’ weekend in London to learn more about the event.

Georgia, who is also directing the play, said: “Our young actors have all worked so hard in order to bring this performance to life. It’s been fabulous to work with the National Theatre on this special Connections production, and to be able to perform a play written especially for young people.”

The team will perform Tuesday by Alison Carr, at the Theatre Royal, from February 6 to 8.

They will also perform in the Studio at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake, and have a chance of being selected to perform at the National Theatre later in the year.

Alison Carr’s witty, fast-moving play combines sci-fi with everyday school life. The play opens on an ordinary Tuesday. Kids are out in the school yard, when a large rip appears in the sky above them.

Pupils and staff are sucked upwards – and a whole new set of people start raining down.

Is it possible that a parallel world has collided?

There is much confusion. How can Ash and Magpie be identical? Can Billy cope with having his sister back? And who is Franky? As the air on Earth starts to disagree with ‘them’, the race is on to return everyone safely to the universe that they came from.

Entry for the play at Theatre Royal is £8, or £6 with concessions. Tickets can be booked online at http://www.theatre-royal-workington.co.uk/tuesday/ or purchased on the door on February 6 to 8, doors open 6.30pm for 7pm.