BUDDING young performers from Basingstoke were given a taste of the glitz and glamour of the West End.

Pupils from Stagecoach Performing Arts Basingstoke West branch showcased their talents alongside more than 300 fellow students from Stagecoach schools across the country in a special showcase performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London.

The group, which trains and rehearses every Friday at The Costello School, in Crossborough Hill, were joined by students as far afield as Halifax, Hastings and Hykeham.

The showcase, which took place on Saturday, 25 November, was part of a large gala event at the iconic Her Majesty’s Theatre. The venue is currently playing host to the famous West End musical, The Phantom of the Opera, which has been running at the venue for 32 years.

The Basingstoke group lit up the stage with their performance, A Perfect World, which featured hit musical and movie medleys, and tunes by Bon Jovi and Queen.

Rachel Barker, principal of Stagecoach Performing Arts Basingstoke West, said: “Performing on a West End Stage was a fantastic opportunity for our students.

“I am exceptionally proud of every single performer who took part - they gave their all.

“The students worked so hard to produce a fantastic piece of theatre. The life-skills they developed in rehearsals, including team work, focus and perseverance, not forgetting their incredible courage, will stay with them far beyond Saturday’s performance.”

Stagecoach Performing Arts Basingstoke West is part of a network of more than 750 extra-curricular performing arts schools worldwide.

Stagecoach aims to make a difference in its students’ lives by teaching creative courage for life and many children have gone on to study and work in performing arts from blockbuster films to countless roles in local theatre productions.

Early Stages classes are available for children aged four to six and main stages classes take place for six to 18-year-olds every weekend. For more information on Stagecoach Basingstoke West go to stagecoach.co.uk/basingstokewest.