SOUTHEND YMCA paid a visit to France with four young people keen to develop their artistic and performance abilities.

They went to Amiens to perform in Benjamin Britten’s Noah’s Flood in front of an audience of 2,000 people.

Amelia Glydon, 17, who hopes to graduate from Tiffany’s dance and performing arts college in Leigh, and Serena Wright, 19, an aspiring actress, took part in the performance.

They were joined by Emily Butler, 24, a former East 15 student who runs workshops in acting, dance and movement, and 18- year-old sixth former Millie-Rose Rudman, a member of Southend Girls Choir.

The production is the final large project of the current phase of A Common Territory, a project drawing together various artistic and cultural organisations from around Europe.

Labour MEP Richard Howitt visited Southend YMCA to find out a little more about the project which gives young people the opportunities to work with worldclass musicians and actors and perform in the beautiful Cirque Jules Verne d’Amiens and Le Theatre Imperial in Amiens.

He said: “Southend YMCA is to be congratulated on being accepted into this project that is financed over three years as one of just 13 partner organisations from England and northern France.

“The project offers students a whole world of opportunities, with not just master classes from lead partner Orchestre de Picardie, but also exchange visits and multi-disciplinary performances.”

Alex Milne, Southend YMCA head of music and project co-ordinator, said: “A project like this allows young people to access and enjoy what some may consider high-brow, forms of art and culture that is a bit different from the music they may normally listen to.

“This is hugely important to broaden the horizons of young people.

“But for aspiring artists it gives them an invaluable insight and experience, as well as being something they can put on their CV, and this secures the future generations of artists and musicians.”

Serena said: “I would urge all young people with an interest in stage/acting/singing or even none at all to absolutely go for opportunities like this, as Noah’s Flood and France was an absolutely fantastic experience.”

Amelia added: “I love France!

“Such a great experience and I feel so lucky that I could be a part of a brilliant trip and performance.”