GREASE is the word for 60 young performers taking to the stage this week.

The Rossendale-based Valley Academy is staging the ever-popular musical at Burnley Mechanics – a first for the team.

In the lead roles, as the love-struck teens Danny and Sandy are Sam Newsham and Emma Hitchon, with Sophie Wooding as Rizzo, and a full supporting cast of Pink Ladies and T Birds.

Vice principal Sally-Ann Bromley said: “It is a big milestone for VA to stage a full scale musical in a professional theatre, everyone is very excited.

“Ticket sales have gone really well especially in Burnley where we have picked up a new audience.

“This promises to be a full on, high energy fun packed show with all the songs we know and love.

“Our students have worked so hard to really deliver a professional standard so together with fabulous costumes and a fantastic set, this show is unmissable.”

She added that the academy’s talent will still be on show locally with the pantomime and smaller scale productions still being staged at Rakefoot Hall in Crawshawbooth.

“Rakefoot is no longer big enough to stage musicals with a full cast as we now have 90 children in VA,” Sally said.

“We will continue to stage our very popular pantos along with smaller shows at Rakefoot but plan to stage a larger full scale musical each year at the Mechanics now that we know our audience is happy to follow us there.

“Our audiences look forward to our high standard productions and we are thrilled that they are happy to leave the Valley for the night to come and support us.”

Grease coincides with the opening of Valley Academy @ The Studio, Binns Street, Crawshawbooth. A new timetable of classes will launch after Easter. Email sally@valleyacademy.co. uk for details. Call 01706 600236 to book tickets for Grease which runs from tomorrow to Saturday, 7.30pm, plus 2.30pm Saturday, £10.