SCORES of talented pupils from Dauntsey's School near Devizes have found out what it is like to be centre stage in the West End.

A cast of 100 from the school in West Lavington were invited to perform Billy Elliot at the Novello Theatre in London after they performed the show to sell out audiences in Wiltshire back in December.

They proved to be equally successful in the bright lights of London. A school spokesman said: "This is the third such invitation to perform a musical in the West End, with Les Miserables in 2003, and Miss Saigon in 2012.

"The excitement and anticipation of the audience, made up of Dauntsey’s extended family, was palpable. The atmosphere in the theatre was electric, from stepping through the doors of the Novello, right up to the well-deserved standing ovation at the end.

"The performance was no small undertaking. The December production had to be re-imagined and rehearsed again in order to fit the smaller stage that was built overnight on Saturday, in front of the existing Mamma Mia set.

"The orchestra played via a screen from one of the theatre’s bar areas, and sounded magnificent. The School’s technical crew rose to the challenge, quickly becoming familiar with the Novello's lighting and sound system to create a magical production."

Dauntsey's director of drama Rikki Jackson was delighted with the result and said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for all those involved and an incredibly exciting event for the whole School community. The cast and orchestra performed brilliantly and adapted exceptionally well to the smaller stage and larger audience. It was a night to remember for us all."