A GROUP of young stars are preparing to stage their second ever production.

Members of Adlington Music and Arts Youth have been beavering away at a Disney favourite.

Next week, a cast of 40 will light up Adlington Community Centre with High School Musical Jr, bringing the favourite characters from the 2006 Disney movie to life on stage.

It follows the story of feuding American high schoolers vying for the limelight in a musical.

Ethan Simpson and Alex Moore, both 16, are the show’s star-crossed lovers in the show alongside a cast ranging from eight to 16, which has come under first-time director Rebecca Crookson. Music director and group chairman Emily Bailey said: “Her hard work and passion has been absolutely wonderful, it’s a team effort but Rebecca has worked really hard on the show.

“It has been really good fun and everyone has pulled together on it.

“All the children have to be able to sing, dance and act all at the same time. I might be biased, but we have a really talented group of children and it’s so nice to see them develop into their characters and perform.”

The group is a branch of Adlington Music and Arts Society and started out as junior workshops before putting on its first major production, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, last year.

Many of the children act, sing and dance while adults take on the management and backstage roles.

Next week’s show is also a first for stage manager Jackie Creer, with Emily also co-directing and Heather Hodgson doing the choreography.

Emily added: “The children wanted to put on high School Musical Jr, which is much the same as the movie except with an extra song.

“It has brought back a lot of fond childhood memories for lots of us, I was 15 when it came out so I remember it well. It’s been a lot of fun to bring to the stage.”

High School Musical Jr runs from June 15 to 17, starting at 7.30pm at the Adlington Community Centre in Railway Road, Adlington. To book tickets call 07939 133807.