PUPILS from an Oxford school are preparing to put on a play at the Ashmolean Museum inspired by its Egyptian artefacts.

Young people aged between 11 and 17 from d'Overbroeck's College, in North Oxford, have written a play called Death and the Egyptians to be performed in March.

The play will explore how ancient Egyptians viewed death and the customs that surrounded it.

Kate Parson, head of drama at the college, said: "We got the chance to go around the museum and the Egyptian section while the museum was closed for renovation work.

"Everyone really enjoyed themselves and, after the visit, we sat down and talked about all the things we had seen and that they had found interesting and had a brainstorm.

"From that we have developed a play that will look at death, Egyptian beliefs and the rituals by telling a story."

The drama teacher said the play, in which students are given free rein to improvise, will feature very few spoken words and more emphasis on visuals.

She said: "It's a very exciting project that is a first for the college and will give students the chance to perform somewhere other than in school.

"And for them to perform in such a magnificent setting as the Ashmolean will be fantastic."

Performances, which are free to watch, will take place in the Randolph Gallery on Thursday, March 6, and Friday, March 7, from 4pm.

Before they start, students will give audience members a tour of the Egyptian artefacts that inspired them.

D'Overbroeck pupil Olivia Frazer-Smith, 12, said: "It's been really good and we've done lots of exciting and unusual things.

"I play a crocodile in the play who is evil and eats all the dead people, so I guess I'm the baddy. But it's very cool as the character is really sneaky."

Rosie Cohen, 16, said: "I'm really looking forward to performing at the museum, it's just so exciting."

A spokesman for the museum said: "We are delighted to be collaborating with d'Overbroek's College and we are looking forward to seeing the students' dramatic interpretation."