STUDENTS from a Wirral school took to the stage with their spooky and comical 'boy meets girl' adaptation of hit TV comedy The Addams Family.

A tale of love, acceptance and friendship, the production - featuring more than 80 students from St John Plessington Catholic College in Bebington - was staged at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight last week. 

The packed-out audience consisted of St John Plessington students, staff members and the wider community, with a total of 400 attendees each night across two shows.

St John Plessington enlisted the help of Church Drive Primary School, who performed what the producers described as "a fantastic retro dance routine" at the start of the second act.

Collaborative partnerships with feeder primary schools help the college foster friendship bonds and establish strong community connections beyond the St John Plessington walls.

A spokesperson for the school said students collaborated with staff from across different departments throughout every part of the process, including choreography, stage crew planning, and other important elements of the production.

The technical team at the Gladstone Theatre were also on hand to offer their invaluable tech skills and support. They worked tirelessly with staff and students, and their outstanding contribution was greatly appreciated by St John Plessington.

Head of performing arts at St John Plessington, Sam Stevenson, said: "It was so wonderful to see our performing arts family working as a community to produce such an outstanding show.

"We want to develop the creative leaders of the future by providing them with as many opportunities as possible, and it was so fantastic to see our students rise to the challenge and deliver such incredible performances."

Annabelle Hughes Ikpoh, who took on the role of Morticia Addams, shared how delighted she was to perform alongside her castmates.

She said: "It was an honour to perform on the Gladstone Theatre stage in my final year of school, and I will forever miss the amazing cast I worked with.

"Doing the show in a week was challenging but a truly gratifying experience I'll never forget. Being part of the performing arts and music department at St John Plessington has helped me pave the way for my future."

Amy Armstrong, who played Alice Beineke, said: "Performing in this show is an experience I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life.

"Taking part has shaped me as a person and allowed me to have the confidence to be on stage. I have so much gratitude for the teachers who have helped me with this opportunity, making me find a home in drama and on stage.”

Headteacher at St John Plessington Catholic College, Mr Peadar McLoughlin, commented: "We would like to congratulate the cast, crew and staff for producing such an incredible show.

"Our school’s mission is to empower an inclusive community founded on Gospel values. It has been fantastic to witness the incredible work in partnership with the wider school community, the Gladstone Theatre and Church Drive Primary School to create something amazing."

Mr McLoughlin added: "It is important that our students have access to opportunities beyond the school’s walls that help them to develop new skills, grow in confidence, build connections and have new experiences.”

The full performance of The Addams Family is now available to watch on St John Plessington’s YouTube channel here.