A TOUCH of stage show theatrics will see the classic West Side Story brought to West Park Academy in preparation for an amateur dramatic society performance.

Neil Harland and Rhiannon Walker are playing the leading roles of Tony and Maria in the Darlington Operatics Society’s upcoming run of the musical next month.

The couple, who are in their final stages of the cast’s rehearsals, will visit the Darlington primary school to perform well-known songs from West Side Story and hold a question and answer session with Year 5 pupils.

The production’s director and choreographer, Joanne Hand, will also answer questions alongside Mr Harland and Ms Walker about how the show is created.

West Park Academy tutor, Lauren Pressdee-Rudd, said: “We are truly excited at the prospect of Neil and Rhiannon visiting the school.

“It will be a great experience for the pupils and an added bonus to be able to ask questions about the show, their roles and theatre in general.

“We are hoping to take a group to see a performance of West Side Story and this may be the first experience of theatre some of our pupils have had.”

The leading pair are set to make their visit to the school on Thursday, March 30, ahead of the Operatics Society’s run of shows in April.

The Princess Alexandra Auditorium, off Spitalfields, in Yarm, will host the Darlington cast from Tuesday, April 4, until Saturday, April 8.

A British Sign Language interpreter will also sign a performance on the evening on Thursday, April 6.

For more information, or to book tickets, call 01325-244659 or visit darlingtonos.co.uk