Felix Partridge, 15, and Ginevre Ventre, 15, took the prestigious titles for Best Actor and Best Actress in a musical at the National Theatre Awards.
The young performers, of The Gilberd School, in Colchester, won the awards for their roles in the school’s musical production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
It played to sold-out audiences with five shows in February this year.
Fantastic – Felix and Ginevre at the awards (Image: The Gilberd School) Judges from the National Theatre Awards attended one of the evening productions and nominated the show in six different categories.
In a whirlwind of excitement, held on June 23, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London, they were presented with the awards.
Mrs Carly Howard, head of performing arts at The Gilberd School said: “We are thrilled Felix and Ginevra won best actor and actress for their performances in our production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
“This was a complex production and the roles are not easy to convey convincingly.
“The fact they have stood out from some of the best performers in schools across the nation is testament to their talent and dedication.”
Exciting – Felix and Ginevre with their trophies (Image: The Gilberd School) The two students were overwhelmed with joy after hearing they had won such amazing awards against tough competition.
Felix, who played Quasimodo, said: “It feels unreal to have won such a prestigious award.
“I’m yet to fully comprehend the reality of this achievement.
“I’ve been in theatre since I was around six-years-old.
“I trained with Stagecoach each Friday and when I joined The Gilberd School, I auditioned for a part in every school production I could.
“Everyone I have worked with has been truly incredible.”
Ginevre, who played Esmerelda, said it was ‘incomprehensible’ she had won the title.
She said: “I feel grateful for my family, my teachers and peers and also slightly undeserving since it is such a prestigious award.
“I’ve always loved music and singing since I was very young.
“I’ve never understood why; I suppose I’ve always gravitated towards the honest lyrics and of course, beautiful melodies.
“I first joined a theatre school when I was seven-years old and immediately realised that was the community for me; the acceptance, the love, the support.
“The production was my first one at school making the award even more unreal.
“To date, it’s been the best thing I’ve been a part of, giving me lifelong friends and confidence I’ve always searched for.”
Felix and Ginevra fought off some tough competition from both state and independent schools across the nation to win their respective awards.
Mrs Howard said: “We are all so very proud of them both.
“Their commitment to their roles was outstanding and we are delighted that this has been recognised at a national level.
“We are also hugely proud of all the other members of the cast and company who made this yet another outstanding Gilberd production.”
