STUDENTS are preparing to become rock royalty as they stage a musical that has proved to be a global sensation for more than a decade.

Rehearsals are well under way for Richmond School and Sixth Form College’s musical production We Will Rock You, based on the songs of Queen.

The spectacular, with script by comedy writer Ben Elton, opened in the West End in 2002, and has toured the world, including Singapore, Cape Town, and Melbourne.

Head of music Andy King said: “We are really looking forward to a brilliant show. Everyone has been working very hard since the start of the year and now we are into the final weeks of rehearsal it’s starting to get very exciting.

“We are lucky to have an extremely talented cast, along with some brilliant musicians playing in the band.”

The show will be staged from February 11 to 13. Tickets are £6 for adults and £4 for concessions and are available from Sophie Hutchinson on 01748-828133.

The school has an enviable reputation for music and last year students enjoyed a trip to France during which they performed at Disneyland Paris.

The school’s Chamber Choir also won the performance prize at the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham.