HIGH school pupils are gearing up for their spectacular summer musical production.

Drama students at Ysgol Clywedog, in Wrexham, are busy rehearsing for their annual production, hit musical Grease, to be performed at the school over several nights next month.

Steve Witherden, subject leader for drama, said the show has been six months in the planning.

He said: "We've been steadily rehearsing since we finished casting students for each role - one hour a day after school, every week from December to Easter, then three hours across two days after school, from Easter.

"We've also - as a student and teacher team - designed, built and decorated all of our own set. And have done the same with costumes and props. All in all it has been a massive team effort.

"We've also done all of our own fundraising, including two separate sessions of bag packing at Wrexham ASDA on Holt Road. Across the two sessions combined, we have raised £1,000 and this money has basically permitted us to stage the production. Without which, it would not have been possible.

"These valuable funds have enabled us to buy the wood to build the set, plus the fabric to make the costumes, and purchase the licensing rights to perform the show."

He added: "The developmental progression of the show has not been without difficulties. Our head of music has changed since we started the project and we have had a few pupils drop out, which is always the way with school productions.

"However, this has allowed us to re-cast some really enthusiastic youngsters, from lower years, and we are now back on schedule.

"As the first performance is now less than one month away, preparations for the first night are reaching their most intense phase. We have arranged with the caretaker for the school to be opened for the drama students for four hours on the final Sunday, before our opening night, to enable us to have one last dress and technical rehearsal before our opening night.

"Normally school plays tend to only really be watched by people directly linked to the school's community, for example the parents and grandparents of the students performing in the production.

"But we are really keen to extend the invitation to everyone in our wider community to come and enjoy the show, everyone interested will be more than welcome to come along - the show is open to everyone to come and see - and it is our hope it is well attended by people in our community who wouldn't normally attend such an event."

The school is staging four evening performances, on July 2, 3, 4 and 5 at Ysgol Clywedog, Ruthin Road, Wrexham.

Starting at 6.30pm, tickets cost £6 for an adult, £4 for children/concessions, and £14 for a family ticket. Tickets can be obtained from the Ysgol Clywedog reception, or school shop, or they can be bought at the door on the night.