TEENAGERS who have helped shape the rebirth of an East Oxford theatre offered an exclusive sneak preview behind the scenes.

Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, is in the final stages of a £7.4m revamp and today the Government’s Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw saw how building work was progressing.

Youth trustees and Oxford Youth Theatre members Naomi Zetter, 17, Emily Fernandes, 16, and Ruby Lloyd-Shogbesan, 16, took Mr Bradshaw on a tour of the building.

The theatre, which will powered by solar panels, will be a base for youth and amateur performers across the city.

And they explained how they were proud and excited by the project which had been devised by local young people.

Funding included £1.85m from the Big Lottery Fund and the Department of Children, Schools and Families and £2.7m through the Arts Council.

Emily said: “Mr Bradshaw seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say – it was really encouraging. From day one, we’ve had a say in planning it and building it so I think it was good we were the ones to show him round.”

Ruby added: “It was quite nice to see someone important saying how important we were. It was good to see someone who hadn’t seen Pegasus before saying it was really impressive.”

Mr Bradshaw visited the theatre as well as taking a tour of film and video charity OVFM, during his visit to Oxford.

He said: “This is fantastic and the best thing about it is the enthusiasm of the young people, who have not only been involved but have helped design it. It was great to see the thrill in their faces at the prospect of getting on that stage when it’s finished.”

The Labour MP, who was visiting the theatre for the first time, said he hoped the youngsters would invite him back for their first production when the revamped Pegasus reopens its doors in September.

He said: “I was particularly excited to see Pegasus because there are not many places in the country that have a dedicated youth theatre, so to see a project that has been pushed for and designed by young people is particularly special.”

He visited the theatre after being invited by Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who also came along on the visit.

The teenage trustees said they were pleased to have a chance to show the dignitary round their theatre– and joked that the Culture Secretary reminded them of actor Hugh Grant.

Pegasus artistic director and chief executive Euton Daley said : “This is a way for us to say to everybody that we have been doing this amazing work and these are the young people who’ve been part of it.”