A team of teenage actors and stage crew are rubbing shoulders with some of the best young thespians in Europe this week.

The Oxford Youth Theatre and Production companies headed off to Grenoble, the city’s French twin town, yesterday to make their debut at the Festival of European Youth Theatre.

The team of 18, affiliated to the Pegasus Theatre in East Oxford, took their place among 20 other performing companies from 16 countries — including Russia, Canada, Burkina Faso, Italy, Poland, Germany and Romania — at the 10-day event.

The teens from Oxfordshire will perform a piece entitled The Land that Disappears, an environmental satire based on China, Russia, USA and Britain competing for the Polar ice caps.

It is the first production for the theatre companies which were formed last autumn for people aged between 14 and 19.

Tutor Nomi Everall said: “We hope that the chance to share their work with young companies, participate in workshops with international professionals and meet young performers from so many backgrounds will be the perfect reward for their dedication.

“At our final rehearsals, the company was absolutely buzzing and simply can’t wait to get going.”

The team will perform twice at the festival, once in La Theatre Premol in Grenoble’s Olympic village, which was built for the 1968 Winter Games, and once on the streets of the French city.

They have chosen to put on a physical show which can easily be understood without the use of language.

Molly McNulty, 18, from Iffley, Oxford, said: “It’s the first time we’ve ever gone on stage abroad, so it’s really exciting.”

Costume designer Rosanna Cull, 16, from Headington, Oxford, said: “I’m hoping the audience will see the comedy aspect.”

Pegasus head of arts Yasmin Sidhwa added: “This international experience will really be a chance to put them on the world stage.”