CHEPSTOW School pupils are rehearsing for their annual show-stopping musical, which starts next week.

This year’s performances of The Beauty and the Beast will begin next Tuesday for three nights and staff promised a show to rival performances of We Will Rock You, last year’s musical, and 2014’s Phantom of the Opera.

The school’s head of drama Rhidian Phillips said: “Students have been hard at work preparing for this challenging show since the summer term and as opening night gets nearer, the excitement grows and grows.

“The cast of 2016 has been superb. Not only have they been professional in their approach to audition and rehearsals, some have stepped up as lead choreographers.”

Year 11 students Megan Marsh, who plays Cogsworth, and Rebecca Ham, who plays Lumiere, have choreographed the show's dance routines and Mr Phillips said younger students have responded well to their guidance.

He added: “Without students such as these, productions would not be possible. Megan has even taken over everything at times, rehearsals, costumes and props. It’s students such as these that makes shows so unique at Chepstow.”

Rosie Hathaway and Harry Lewis are lead characters Belle and Beast respectively. Mrs Potts will be played by Carys Curwood, Gaston by Luca Goddard, Chip by Sophie Allen Babette and Jessica Ham and Lefou by Bethan Taylor.

The show is directed by Natalie Jones and Simon Hendry, the school’s head of music, is its musical director. Pupils make up the orchestra and their ages range from Year 7 to Year 13.

The set has been designed and created by Tim Smith while artwork has been done by Emily Powell.

Each of the performances will start at 7pm and tickets are available at the school, by calling it on 01291 635777 or emailing info@chepstowschool.net.

They are £8 for adults and £6 for concessions. A family ticket, which admits two adults and two children, is £24.