Photo Flash: Hugh Bonneville and More Attend National Youth Theatre REP Company's West End Opening

Following the success of four previous West End REP Seasons, the NYT Rep Company returns to the Ambassadors Theatre for a fifth year this autumn. The second REP show, which marks an exciting new collaboration, will see NYT present Frantic Assembly's award-winning modern-day Othello under the direction of Frantic's Associate Director Simon Pittman.

Below, BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities, including Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville (a former NYT member), who gave the cast a pep talk ahead of taking the stage!

The NYT REP is inspired by the traditional repertory theatre model and was set up by Artistic Director Paul Roseby in 2012 to provide a much needed free alternative to expensive formal training. The course is a unique free talent development initiative allowing the best young talent to work for nine months with leading institutions culminating in three months of performances in the West End. REP company alumni include Sope Dirisu (2013) who is about to play Coriolanus at the RSC, Seraphina Beh who is starring in EastEnders after being spotted in the REP and beginning filming the following week (2016), Ellise Chappell who is set to play a lead role in BBC One's series of Poldark (2015) and Lauren Lyle (2015) who is filming a major role for a new Amazon series. Mentors to REP members this year include Denise Gough (People Places Things), Paterson Joseph (Peep Show), Shane Zaza (Happy Valley) as well as the Heads of Casting at The Royal Court Theatre and National Theatre.

NYT present Frantic Assembly's Othello by William Shakespeare, adapted by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, and directed by Simon Pittman.

This is a mating ground. A dog-eat-dog kind of place. And it's about to kick off... In brand new collaboration for 2017, NYT are working in partnership with Frantic Assembly to present their award-winning adaptation of Othello. Their electrifying take on Shakespeare's thriller is set in 21st century Britain and is celebrated for its physical and collaborative theatre, bringing the sex, violence and jealousy of the tragedy into the modern day. The production will be directed by Simon Pittman (Associate Director, Frantic Assembly).

NYT's REP Season runs at the Ambassadors Theatre from now through 8 December. For more information, visit www.nyt.org.uk.

Photo Credit: Andrew James