THESPIANS at Ringwood School are staging a powerful performance of Miss Saigon until Saturday (February 15).

The award-winning group is staging the modern musical based on Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, about an Asian woman betrayed by her American lover.

Some 150 students have been working on the production since September 2013, committing to 30 rehearsals a week since Christmas.

Director Elise de Lancy Green said: “As rehearsals have progressed, I have been amazed by the talent of the students, who have approached their roles with maturity beyond their years.

“Ringwood School runs a BTEC National Diploma course in Production Arts which enables students with a passion for working backstage to use the skills they learn on the course to help make the technical aspects of the show as good as they can be.”

Producer and musical director Ian Hawkins said: “To produce a show of this quality and scale is such an achievement; it really is a collaborative process, with all year groups and subjects rallying to get involved.

“It may take a lot of time and energy but it is always worth it, and it is such amazing fun.”

Tickets are available at £10 from the school reception or at www.ringwood.hants.sch.uk.