A student in Epsom has landed a dream role in a new musical adaption of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles in London’s West End.

Oliver Furze, aged 13, successfully auditioned from over 1,000 other young people across the UK.

He was selected by Youth Music Theatre UK, one of the leading national musical theatre production companies for young people.

Past Alumni include Brit Award winner Ed Sheeran and Grammy Award nominee Sam Smith.

Oliver said: “Youth Music Theatre UK gave me a great opportunity to work in a professional environment and now a wonderful opportunity of performing in a West End theatre to the paying public. I like the show Tess of the d’Urbervilles because of the intense and sincere storyline dealing with situations you are unlikely to encounter in life.”

Tess of the d’Urbervilles opens at The Other Palace Theatre from April 5 to 14