PUPILS at a Darlington school are “Hopelessly Devoted” to putting on a good show when they stage Grease next month.

For three “Summer Nights”, from July 3 to 5, students at Hurworth School will tread the boards to entertain friends, family and staff, with their rendition of the popular musical.

Teacher and Show Director Hayley Moohan has praised the talented and enthusiastic 30-strong cast of Years 7, 8 and 10 pupils, and the choreography by Year 11 student, Nicole Adams.

She said: “We had such a lot of interest in the auditions, and so many of the pupils were really good, it was hard to turn people down.

“It was fantastic to see the number of boys who were keen to be part of it, and we’ve got a group of very keen actors and singers for this production.”

Hayley told 14-year-old Pippa Hurst and 13-year-old George Walker “You’re The Ones That I Want” for the lead parts of Sandy and Danny.

Although they are quite nervous about this production, they have both been in the limelight before. Pippa played Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat while in Year 6, and George had roles in The Tempest and Cinderella Rockerfella when he was younger.

Pippa said: “My friends dared me to enter the auditions and I didn’t even think I’d get a part, and now I’m playing Sandy. It was quite a shock.”

George was just as surprised with landing his leading role. “I quite enjoyed being in The Tempest, so I thought I’d have a go at this, but I didn’t really expect to get a part,” he confessed. “I’m really happy to have got the role of Danny.”

The pupils have been rehearsing since September last year, and stay after school two nights a week, as well as practising the songs at lunchtimes.

Staff at the school are being offered free tickets to the show so that they can see their talented students performing.

Adult tickets cost £7; 16 and under are £5 and the cast are hoping they sell like “Greased Lightning”. For further details, call 01325 720424.