PUPILS at a village school have staged an hour-long comic opera, four weeks after being handed their roles.

The 24 Year 5 and 6 students at St Peter’s Brafferton Primary, in Brafferton-Helperby, near Thirsk, have performed Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore following lessons to annunciate the Victorian language correctly.

A school spokeswoman said the nautical-themed musical show had been selected as the class had a number of talented singers and that the children had enjoyed learning the numerous dance routines an stage choreography.

She said the show had taught the pupils about the 19th century composer and dramatist team ahead of the Gilbert and Sullivan International Festival, which will be held in Harrogate for the first time next year.

She said: “It was a big ask of nine, ten and 11-year-olds, but they performed it beautifully, producing a lump in the throat of many in the audience.”