Maidstone-based touring theatre company, Changeling, has said "You're hired" to its latest apprentice for its summer tour.

Twenty-year-old Hannah May from Kings Hill will play key roles in the open air tour of William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure.

The apprentice scheme gives an opportunity for young people with aspirations to get into acting to get live theatre experience and work with a professional cast and crew.

Previous apprentices have gone on to big things, with Pip Carter from Strood appearing in Party Animals alongside former Dr Who Matt Smith, and more recently in Consent at the National Theatre and Ellie Kendrick from Boughton Monchelsea play recently starring in Game of Thrones and new film The Levelling.

Changeling artistic director Rob Forknall said: “We were blown away by the talent from Kent this year. We saw some really strong performers at the auditions, but Hannah was just so good - she demonstrated not only huge amounts of natural acting talent and charisma, but a real desire to get stuck in."

Hannah, who has A'level in Musical Theatre and Drama and played a role in the West End run of The Dreamers, and, after graduating, joined the National Youth Theatre. She has been in Journeys, a show at the Lyric Hammersmith, which involved a small company of disabled and non-disabled actors, where she was able to showcase other skills such as BSL and dance.

She said: “I see Changeling as one the best opportunities that I have ever been able to take part in. It’s my first tour with a professional cast and crew, plus doing a genre of show that I've never done in full before - Shakespeare. I am so excited."

Changeling Theatre’s Measure for Measure will be playing alongside Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit across Kent from Friday, June 29 to Sunday, August 19, in venues across the county from Margate seafront to Biddenden Vineyards, and Allington Castle, The Friars Aylesford and Boughton Monchelsea Place.

To book tickets visit changeling-theatre.com/tickets