THE Phantom of the Opera had to take a back seat when youngsters from a Chepstow stage school took over a top West End theatre.

Stagecoach Performing Arts students headed to Her Majesty’s Theatre in London on Sunday, March 12, where Andrew Lloyd Webber’s blockbusting show normally holds court.

And alongside colleagues from Newport Stagecoach, the Chepstow youngsters took to the stage to perform a contemporary adaptation piece based on the fantasy action film The Huntsman: Winters War.

Two months of rehearsals every weekend and lots of hard work resulted in a ‘spellbinding’ piece that captured the audience.

Through contemporary dance, physical theatre and abstract group speech, the children told the tale of the story before Snow White.

They have performed together many times at Stagecoach for group exams and end of term shows, but the content of the pieces have always been musical theatre based. This new piece challenged their skills, bringing contemporary theatre to the stage.

Stagecoach Chepstow and Newport principal, Sue Hillman, teachers and parents were all delighted by their performance.

Proud mum Laura Stickley said: “What another amazing show. They all did a fab job, and well done to Lauren and Carl (dance and drama teachers), their imaginations and artistic talent are out of this world."

Stagecoach Performing Arts in Chepstow offer classes in singing, dancing and acting at St John’s On-the-Hill School in Tutshill, and are offering a free trial next term for youngsters aged four to 18-years-old.

The teachers all have performing arts experience and lead and support youngsters as they conquer fears and rise to new challenges.

The students are working towards their end of year performance, with the younger children performing Annie and the older children embarking on the musical Les Miserables, all in celebration of the school’s 20th anniversary.

Classes run on Fridays during term time, with the summer term running from May 5 to July 21.

Early stages (four to six years) run from 4pm-5.30pm, with the main stages from 4.30pm-7.30pm.

To find out more about the free trial, call Sue Hillman on 01633 422122 or visit the website www.stagecoach.co.uk/Chepstow