IT may sound impossible but local drama students are putting on a performance of Billy Elliot – after only one week of practice.

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Oxford will cast, rehearse and perform a youth theatre version of the hit show in just eight days.

It will then be performed on Thursday and Friday at The Theatre, at Headington School, in Oxford.

The show is being staged by 58 students from the drama company, aged between nine and 18.

The lead is being played by 11-year-old Thomas Conroy from Witney.

His brother, nine-year-old Eddie Conroy, will play the other lead – Michael. They were the only two cast members to have seen their lines more than a week ahead.

Principal Maya Sprigg explained: “The two lead roles got to audition before, because of the amount of lines they need to learn.

“But everyone else was cast just a week before the show. It’s very exciting.”

Billy Elliot, made famous in the 2000 film by Stephen Daldry, tells the story of a young boy who wants to become a ballet dancer.

He fights prejudice from his old-fashioned father and brother, but overcomes all the odds to follow his dream.

The story was made into a musical in 2005. Miss Sprigg said: “This year, to celebrate their five year anniversary, the makers of the musical have been running a project with schools across the UK.

“Three of our students actually got to go to London to meet the cast and crew, and one boy, Angus Pinkerton, got to play the lead role in the Billy Youth Theatre production in the Victoria Palace Theatre. So this is our way of saying thank you to Billy Elliot for a great few months; we’ve had a fabulous time.”

The lead in the show, Thomas, said that he was very excited about the upcoming performance.

He said: “Everyone has been so reassuring and I’m enjoying rehearsals. It is such a great thing to be a part of.”

His brother, Eddie, added: “I love Billy Elliot, and especially the character of Michael.

“I’m a bit nervous but our parents have helped us learn the lines, so we are already performing without our scripts.”

Miss Sprigg said this year’s performance would be even bigger and better than their Les Miserables show last year.

She said: “It is a huge ask. Les Miserables was big, but this is far more difficult because there is a huge amount of dancing and ensemble singing.

“The ensemble roles in Billy Elliot require acting, dancing and singing all at the same time, so it’s a much bigger ask of the students.”

She added: “But I am very confident in them, we have a huge amount of talent here.”

There will be a preview performance on Thursday, followed by a champagne gala night on Friday.

Doors open at 5.30pm on both nights. For tickets, contact 01869 278600 or email oxford@stagecoach.co.uk