THE KING’S SCHOOL Chester's drama department treated the audience to an unforgettable performance of Disney’s much-loved musical Beauty and the Beast over three nights recently.

Talented students received a standing ovation each night, a credit to the amount of hard work they had put in to the production. With a cast of more than 50 students, the stunning show was a joy to behold.

Hannah Evans confidently took on the role of Belle, a young woman in a provincial French town who sacrifices herself to save her beloved father (Ted Toovey), and finds herself face-to-face with the fearsome Beast, a role played with great presence by Sameer Dhanjee.

As the tumultuous love story unfolded, the audience enjoyed plenty of comic relief with a range of wonderful performances from the talented cast, including rival Gaston (Eden Hambelton-Davies), his devoted side-kick Le Fou (Jonny Madden) and the enchanted house staff of Chip (Freddie Spillane), Mrs Potts (Freya Beyeler), Cogsworth (King Chalapati), Lumiere (Bram Lucas), Madame de le Grande Bouche (Leilani Jenkins) and Babette (Isabelle Thane).

Earlier in the week, delighted pupils from Willow Lodge dressed up as their favourite Disney characters to watch the ‘world premiere’ of the production and were very excited to meet the principal cast.

Special thanks must also go to Mrs Williams, director, for organising the production and all of the staff and sixth formers who helped to ensure that the audience were swept away in a tale as old as time.