PUPILS at Perins School in Alresford have been sent good luck messages from A-listers prior to their summer production of Beauty and the Beast.

Sports presenter Clare Balding and comedian Rob Brydon have wished the students every success in the ‘most ambitious’ theatre production Perins has ever attempted.

Rob Brydon sent a video message saying: “Good luck to all the Perins actors, orchestra and crew with your production of beauty and the beast. I hope it’s a fantastic success.”

A message was released this week from Clare Balding which she filmed whilst reporting at the Winter Olympics saying: “I just wanted to say break a leg to all the Perins cast and crew and the orchestra for Beauty and the Beast.

“I hear you did a magnificent job with Phantom of the Opera and I know you will again. Enjoy it.”

The project involves 130 pupils and will be performed outside in a temporary theatre on the playing fields to an audience of 400 people over six nights.

Perins School Theatre has been granted the only Disney-approved set and costumes in the country.

The same scenery previously featured at the Mayflower in Southampton and Marilitsa Alexiou, the director of Perins School Theatre, said it is guaranteed to have the ‘wow’ factor and give their talented students a taste of life as a professional actor.

Marilitsa added: “Perins is proud to offer its students a rich and expansive range of extra-curricular activities. Where budgets have been cut in other schools, Perins is actively bucking this trend and investing in these opportunities to enrich student’s experiences in their school life.

“As a school Perins considers this vital to creating rounded students able to succeed in life and work.”

Steve Jones, headteacher, said: “It should not be seen as a luxury for schools to offer enrichment programmes in music, drama, sports and other areas. It is our duty to develop students who have not only a strong knowledge base through academic studies but to offer a holistic schooling.

“At Perins we are proud to create an environment where students love coming to school and one that enables them to flourish. Schools have a duty to provide such experiences as we are in a unique position to open minds to the endless possibilities that await our young people.”

For more information visit www.theperinstheatre.co.uk or call 01962 657466.