FOLLOWING on from the super successful production of School of Rock, Kirkbie Kendal School will be producing Popstars the 90s Musical. Packed with pop smash hits from the hyper-coloured 1990s by artists such as The Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, N*Sync, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Shania Twain, MC Hammer and many more.

Written by Neil Gooding and Nicholas Christo, Popstars the 90s Musical will be produced by Kirkbie Kendal's head of creative and performing arts, Mark Leadbeatter and directed by the school's head of music, Jen Donald. Choreography is put together by dance teachers, Janet Winstanley and Gemma Barton.

Mark says that Popstars promises to be a fun, upbeat 'jukebox' musical: "It features songs from teenage years and includes a real diverse mix of songs and dance routines. We have really enjoyed rehearsing these songs and the performances are going to be great fun. Our students have been so dedicated to rehearsals and we are proud of the way they have conducted themselves. I’m sure we are going to have a wonderful time and we will be creating memories that will stay with us for a long time.”

The show is set in a school in the 1990s where Mark Carter is head over heels in love with his girlfriend, Queen Bee, Shannon Van de Witt. When Shannon learns that pop band impresario Simon Austin is the surprise judge at the Talent Show she dumps him for her chance at showbiz stardom. Mark rapidly goes from High School hero to High School zero. His garage band buddies rally around him and soon a plan for revenge is hatched to change their grunge band to a boy-band and snatch the Talent Show title from Shannon’s Candy Girls. There’s just one small problem… the boys can’t dance. Mark enlists the help of the ultra-talented new girl, Ella, to help with their boy band makeover and sparks soon fly. So, can Mark get the girl, land the grand prize and get even with the scheming Shannon closing in?

Rehearsals have been going on since January and its KK's largest cast to date.

Jamie Trickett, who plays Shannon, says that its a great musical for a sing along. "I love performing these older, definitely cooler songs. It’s really nice to watch the musical grow into the final production and I hope that all enjoy it just as much as the cast does."

Also in the glittering cast is Anthony Gunston. "Last year I was given the opportunity to be Freddie in School of Rock and it changed my life. I had so much fun in that show I couldn’t resist auditioning this year. I am playing Mark in popstars this year and I am really excited to have another part.”

Once again KK is using a full ten piece live band, featuring students alongside professional musicians.

Popstars the 90s Musical runs at Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre from next Tuesday until Friday, June 25-28.

Tickets are available from the Brewery box office on 01539-725133.

Performances start at 7.30pm.