A YORK school's upcoming musical promises to be a real show stopper.

Archbishop Holgate's school's annual production is set to feature a bespoke revolving stage.

This year, they are performing the West End smash School of Rock - the hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, based on the 2003 film starring Jack Black.

Staff and students have been working hard over the past few months - not least the show's technical director Chris Gladstone, who built the stage from scratch.

Head of IT Mr Gladstone, who also runs the school's Backstage club, is no stranger to unusual staging requests - having previously cut a car in half for the school's production of Grease - but this is the first time he has built something on this size and scale.

With a little bit of guidance from Youtube, Mr Gladstone designed and installed the stage - which used 60 castors, 600 screws and "lots of wood" - over two days during half-term.

School music teacher and show director Molly Newton was delighted with the finished stage saying: "When I first suggested the idea of a revolving stage I never imagined Chris would actually build one!

"It's still undergoing final decoration - people will need to come to the show to see it in its full glory, but the cast are really excited and can't wait to see it in action."

The show stars students aged between 11 and 18, with year 11 student - and accomplished guitarist - Bryn Martin in the lead as Dewey Finn.

Due to the nature of the show, all the principals characters have to play instruments, as well as singing, dancing and acting.

Ms Newton said: "The audition process was a lot more complicated than usual, but the children have been working so hard and rehearsals have been going really well.

"We have been working towards next week's performances since October."

The show takes place from February 28 until March 2, but tickets - which are available from Archbishop Holgate's reception - are selling fast.