Students at City and Islington College will get the experience of a lifetime tonight as they perform the play ‘Children of Killers’ in the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre.

Islington Gazette: A scene from the play in actionA scene from the play in action (Image: Archant)

The students won the opportunity as part of the National Theatre’s ‘Connections’ festival, being one of only twelve shortlisted from the list of 450 entrants.

The play, chosen by head of See & Eye theatre Caroline Griffiths, was written by Olivier award winning playwright Katori Hall. It chronicles the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, and Caroline said she knew it would be perfect for her students.

“It’s the only play I really wanted to do to be honest,” she said.

“I had the cast which I knew would be perfect for that play, and so was absolutely delighted when I found out we’d been chosen.”

Islington Gazette: Two cast members act out a sceneTwo cast members act out a scene (Image: Archant)

The opportunity to perform at such an iconic venue is something that hasn’t been lost on the 15 students in the play either.

“It is very rewarding to be part of a process that allows us to be given professional feedback and to perform at a professional venue,” said Keon Martial Phillip, who will be performing in the play on Monday.

The students will also be part of a documentary that the National Theatre is producing about this year’s Connections Festival, and the whole experience is one which Caroline still hasn’t quite come to terms with.

“It’s been absolutely amazing,” she said.

“It’s such a massive coup for the students. They are over the moon, they’re a brilliant group. They’ve learnt a lot about Rwanda and a lot about the genocide, and they’ve taken it on with such integrity and passion. They love the play and they love the characters.”