THREE Isle of Wight students have been cast to appear at the Apollo Theatre, joining a professional production of Journey's End.  

Island-based theatre company, Theatre Reviva!, has cast A-level students, Tom Howarth, of the Isle of Wight College, and Fred Valvona, of Christ the King College, in their first paid theatre jobs as British Infantry private soldiers.

Ebb Phillips, of Ventnor, joins the production as a German prisoner. Ebb trained at Guildford School of Acting’s Junior Conservatoire, and has been involved with many amateur production companies, including the Island Savoyards.

Theatre Reviva!’s first season on the Island opens with a full-length production of the gripping First World War play at the Apollo from November 1 to 5.

Journey’s End tells the story of a group of soldiers anxiously awaiting a German attack - full of beautifully observed humanity and understated heroism. Writer R. C. Sherriff drew on his personal experiences in the trenches while a Captain in the East Surrey Regiment.

Ebb said: “As a musical theatre performer by training, I’m looking forward to challenging myself with a more serious dramatic play.

"This is my first professional production, and I am thrilled to be joining the company at their Apollo theatre dates.”

The Apollo Theatre is proud to host the play in its 50th anniversary year, in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday.

The theatre welcomes back director and actor Graham Pountney to the Apollo. He first stood on the Apollo stage in 1970, to rehearse his audition speeches for entry into drama school.

He now brings a lifetime of experience to this production, and is excited to encourage new, young blood into his IW-based theatre company, Theatre Reviva!

Tom, Fred and Ebb can be seen every night and at the matinees.

For tickets, go to apollo-theatre.org.co.uk