PUPILS at a Wirral secondary school took to the stage recently for a captivating performance of Beauty and the Beast.

Students at The Kingsway Academy in Moreton put on their own version of the popular Disney show earlier this month.

Based on the smash hit 1991 movie and dating back to a late 18th-century classic French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, who is captured by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster, who was trapped long ago in his gruesome form by an enchantress.

The 30 plus strong cast’s first performance was to more than 220 eagerly awaiting primary school visitors, including pupils from Leasowe, Lingham, Christchurch and Holy Spirt Primary Schools.

The pupils then went on to perform over three consecutive nights to a packed-out school hall.

They provided their audience with a captivating, and in parts, comic production, set against a fantastic backdrop of staging and lighting.

The cast’s exceptional talent in music, drama, dance and back-stage management resulted in a wonderful evening of entertainment that was rewarded with a standing ovation each night.

Curriculum area Lead for visual and performing arts, Katie Rooney said: “Every single member of the cast and backstage crew have worked extremely hard.

"They have put in an enormous amount of time and effort, during and after school, and more recently at the weekend, to prepare for the show.

"They took personal responsibility for the show’s success whilst also working effectively as a team, supporting each other and demonstrating an exceptional amount of motivation, dedication and professionalism.

"They are a credit to both themselves and the Academy and we are immensely proud of them all."

After last year’s very dramatic and memorable performance of Les Misérables, this year’s production had a lot to live up to.

However, the Academy attracts a stream of new and enthusiastic talent coming through the school every year. With the support and experience of the older pupils and the exceptional teaching standards, they quickly flourish into wonderful young performers. 

Principal Amanda Cawood said: “We are extremely fortunate to have such a vast amount of talent amongst our pupils at The Kingsway Academy.

"I am very proud of all of them and what they have achieved and it is wonderful to see the culmination of the hard work, commitment and dedication of all of our staff, who continuously strive to ensure the very best for our young people."