IT'S EVERY young actor's dream to hit Broadway.

And members of a Gwent theatre company got a tantalising taste of what it might be like when former Broadway director of Les Miserables, Ken Caswell, dropped in to lend a hand.

The Gwent-based theatre star, who lives outside Monmouth, recently directed the tribute show for Welsh stars at the Millennium Centre's opening weekend in Cardiff.

He was only too pleased to share his expertise during Cwmbran Youth Theatre's rehearsals for their version of the hit musical, which opens in March.

Mr Caswell, 59, a former pupil of Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School, has directed the show in theatres all over the world, including Paris and Buenos Aires.

He appeared in the show in the early 1980s before turning his hand to directing in 1985.

"They have been extraordinary. I was thrilled with the talent," he said.

"I first got involved with the theatre a few years back when it was in danger of being closed," added Mr Caswell, who also has links with Gwent Youth Theatre.

"It is important that a town like Cwmbran has a space like this and I think they do fantastically well."

Company tutor and the show's director, Rachel Hamilton, said her young actors were "knocked out" by their experience.

"Some of them have seen the show many times so its marvellous to have had him here," she said.

Mr Caswell spent two days with the group.

The show runs from March 8-12, at the Congress Theatre in Cwmbran.