Pupils from Theatretrain’s schools of performing arts in Chester and Wrexham took to the stage to present their own productions of Return To The Forbidden Planet.

The rock ‘n’ roll musical, featuring well known songs like Shake, Rattle and Roll, The Shoop Shoop Song and Tell Her, is a science fiction fantasy loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

The children, aged between six and 17, took on the roles of robots, space cadets and mad scientists to tell the story and battle the green space monsters - both on a video screen and on the stage.

Chester pupils as Ariel the Robot with Josie Roberts as Miranda

Artistic director Steve Davies said: “Whilst this show is a lot of fun it also contains some tricky Shakesperean dialogue which the children tackled with ease.”

Although the curtain has fallen on that production the group are already working on a production entitled Broadway Baby for the autumn as well as another of the group’s popular trips to perform in The Royal Albert Hall in September.

Wrexham pupils - Return To The Forbidden Planet

Throughout the school holidays Theatretrain are holding their popular themed summer schools where children can create productions for performance at the Forum Studio Theatre in Chester in just one week. The website www.chestersummerschool.co.uk has all the details.

To register your child for either the summer school or for the autumn term contact Steve Davies on 01978 311446 or visit www.theatretrain.co.uk.