THE opening night of a Pavilion show will be Truly Scrumptious for one Bournemouth drama student.

Mark Houston will enjoy an expert songwriting workshop with the man whose father wrote the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang song and the score for Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Jungle Book.

The 18-year-old is one of the Big Little Theatre School graduates off to London to study after they put on the 13th annual Broadway Showtunes at the Pavilion this week.

And he will spend time with Robert J Sherman, son of Robert Sherman senior, who co-wrote the film scores with his brother Richard.

Robert J Sherman, who works in the West End, described Mark’s song, entitled Write Me A Song, as “nearly perfect” after being played it by the theatre school’s Colin Billing, and decided to visit.

Mark, who attends the Bourne-mouth School, said: “It will be such an incredible honour to get the chance as his father was one of the greatest composers and he’s involved in the West End and works with Colin there.

“To be starting out as a young composer it’s great to have someone passing on his experience.”

Mark is leaving to start his degree in musical theatre at the Arts Educational Schools in London, one of four graduates off to the capital to develop their talents. And Michelle Guy, principal at the theatre school, said she is part of a strong year.

She said: “We are very proud of their success, gained through blood, sweat and tears.”

The Broadway Showtunes per-formances run from this Thursday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with Mark’s song and others from shows including Les Miserables and A Chorus Line.

Visitors to the Saturday show are reminded to arrive in good time to avoid congestion while the Sky Ride bicycle ride takes place.