AN aspiring young actor has won a coveted place with the National Youth Theatre. Rhys Grey, 16, of The Vicarage, Govilon, was one of only 180 young actors and actresses chosen from 4,000 hopefuls after completing two auditions in Bristol.

He will now take part in the NYT summer course in London which will span three weeks in July and August.

It was thanks to his sister Rachel, who is now studying for a drama degree, that Rhys first took part in a stage production and discovered his love of the theatre.

He said: "I was about seven and Rachel was a member of the junior section of the Abergavenny Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society.

"She was taking part in their production of Heidi and she came home and said they were looking for boys to take part so I went along and enjoyed it so much that I've been acting ever since.

"I've taken part in the junior section shows of Peter Pan, Snow Queen, David Copperfield and Dracula Spectacular.

"I have also taken part in several productions with the Abergavenny Pantomime Company and was Ezra the drunken innkeeper in The Nativity performed by the Gwent Young People's Theatre.

"I am very pleased to gain a place with the NYT and am still getting over the shock. I auditioned last year but didn't get beyond a recall."

Rhys chose a part from Shakespeare's The Tempest and Look Back in Anger by John Osborne for his auditions.

He has just completed his drama practical exam at King Henry VIII Comprehensive School, Abergavenny, and this week will be taking exams in nine GCSE subjects. His ambition is to gain a place at university to complete a drama degree and teaching course so he can become a drama teacher.