Trevor Nunn directs student production of Two Gentlemen of Verona

The play will be performed in repertory in ArtsEd's new Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre from 30 April to 12 May 2015.

"We are thrilled that Trevor has agreed to work with us," said principal Jane Harrison, adding that the students "will benefit enormously from the opportunity to work with such an experienced, versatile and highly regarded director".

Nunn, former artistic director of the RSC and National Theatre, said: "I have enjoyed working with students before, and as a patron of ArtsEd and an enthusiastic follower of the work produced by the school, I am delighted to be offering practical rather than just nominal support."

He said that it was "particularly appropriate" that Two Gentlemen of Verona, a play about "teenage love and growing sexual awareness", would be performed by students. "I have been looking to find a situation where that interpretive take on the play can be fully explored," he added. "Here it is."

'Dream come true'

ArtsEd has history attracting big names to its productions. In 2013 Lloyd Webber attended a production of Evita to mark the opening of the theatre and heralded an unknown acting student as "the best sung Eva Peron I've ever heard".

Student Philip Tomlin, who will play the role of Launce in Nunn's production, described the project as a "dream come true".

"I never dreamt I'd have the chance to work with one of the true greats before I've even graduated," he added. "My fellow students and I are excited and nervous, but delighted to have the chance to work with a director of this calibre and learn so much."