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New Horizons Youth Theatre are set to take the stage in Las Vegas after being selected as one of only five Welsh groups to take part in an international competition.

The group, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, was selected by the National Entertainment Awards (NEA) to travel Stateside following a ‘surprise’ announcement at the group’s base in Machen Village Hall.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, volunteer Zoe Grist said: “Judges have been coming out to watch our performances over recent months and they were impressed with what they saw.

“A few of us knew a little while ago that we as a group had been selected to compete in Vegas, but NEA came along to a practice session on a Friday night to surprise everyone.

“They pretended to be there for something else only to announce we are all going to America; the kids went wild.”

Details over when and where the group will perform are yet to be released, but Zoe said over the next two years New Horizons will focus on fundraising to get every member on the plane.

“We want to put as little financial burden on pupils and their families as possible. You have to remember a lot of the performers are too young to go on their own so parents will have to come too.

“One of the mums told me her son has been rounding up his toys to sell for a plane ticket”, Zoe joked.

There’s been success elsewhere at New Horizons too according to Zoe, with its ‘Legacies’ section – made up of 18-year-olds who still enjoy performing with friends – set to take the stage at The O2 in London.

“The group competed at the Welsh Regionals in February and were awarded a golden buzzer putting them straight through to the finals in November.

“We’ve got a fundraiser show on August 10 to raise funds for that too.”