SCHOOL stage stars have produced an instant hit show in just over a week.

A huge cast of pupils from Bishop Barrington School, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, have had just eight days to rehearse their parts in the Broadway musical Once On This Island.

They are all members of Barrington Youth Productions, a company set up by the school's head of drama, Hugh Conway, who is also the show's director and producer.

His idea, to employ professional artists to work with the students, gives them a chance to learn from people with a wealth of experience of theatrical projects.

These include musical director Jonathan Newell and choreographer Joanne Banks, who has worked for the National Youth Music Theatre, as well as running a successful dance school in Spennymoor.

Others are technical director Bob Harbisher, actors Simon Bridge and Sabrina Carter, adminstrator Ian Smith and costume manager Jean Forster.

The show stars 16-year-old Kayleigh Basey, from Newton Aycliffe and Matthew Gardiner, 15, from Bishop Auckland.

Neal Carney, Matthew Nixon, Cheryl Young and Stephanie Grey have major roles as voodoo gods.

The show opened at the school last night and is on stage tonight and tomorrow at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £3 from the school, telephone (01388) 603307, after 5pm.