A WEST End star has joined forces with a Poole performing arts school ahead of their production of Cats.

The Stagewise School for the Performing Arts will perform the popular musical at the Regent Centre in Christchurch on Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4.

Stagewise, which is based at Lighthouse in Poole, is the first regional stage school to win the rights to perform CATS.

Over the last few months 100 youngsters between the ages of five and 18 years old have been rehearsing the famous song and dance routines adapted from T S Eliot’s poetry collection Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.

On its release it spawned a host of smash hit songs including Memory made famous by Elaine Page and is one of the longest running shows in West End and Broadway history.

Poole-born West End star Ryan Gover, who has been providing guidance on the staging, direction and choreography of the show, has been helping the Stagewise team.

He was part of the UK and European tour of CATS and then rejoined the cast as resident dance captain when the show transferred to the London Palladium.

He is currently appearing in the West End hit Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Students were joined by Ryan during rehearsals and were able to take part in a musical theatre masterclass, where he passed on his top tips to the budding young performers.

Stagewise principal Ally Cox said: "Our students enjoyed an exclusive rehearsal with Ryan, we really did bring a taste of the West End to the south coast.

"Ryan is an outstandingly talented performer and his wise words for our cast were inspirational."

Performances will take place at 2pm and 6pm.

Tickets are available from the Regent Centre box office on 01202 499199 or regentcentre.co.uk.