TWO Ramsgate students have impressed members of the Royal Ballet and Royal Opera House with their technical stage craft so much they have been invited to visit the Royal Opera House in London.

Myles Ratcliffe, 15, and George English, 16, were two of just three boys who worked with 110 ballerinas in a stage management course at the Hextable performing arts centre in Swanley, which culminated with a colourful production of Coppelia.

Organised by the Royal Ballet, the weekend involved the boys working with the deputy stage manager for the Royal Ballet and the lighting technician from the Royal Opera House.

The boys said: "We learned how to use the type of sophisticated lighting technology that we have not used before. We spent time finding out about the different jobs involved in stage management and theatres.

"We rigged, programmed and ran the performance, and learned about stage aesthetics and colouring. It was absolutely fascinating."

Myles and George are also accomplished musicians and members of the Chatham House Grammar School choir, where they also assist with school stage and music productions as well as offering technical help to primary schools.