THEATRE students got the opportunity to experience life on the professional stage by forming the chorus for a successful musical run.

Sixty-four children, aged nine to 16, from Stagecoach Theatre Arts Dorchester and Weymouth made up the choir for 10 shows of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at the Weymouth Pavilion.

Starring Joe McElderry, who shot to fame on ITV’s X Factor, the show opened on June 21 and closed on June 25.

The children were split into two choirs, each taking to the stage at different times for the intense run of performances.

Since April this year they have been practicing under the direction of choir master Kerrie Ann Ballie.

Stagecoach Dorchester principal, Sam Fraser said: “We were thrilled to have been invited to work with the cast of Joseph once again.

“It's a wonderful opportunity to experience life in the professional theatre and I couldn't be more proud of the performances our students delivered.

“It was fun working with Joe McElderry who was tremendously encouraging."

Former Weymouth College student Lewis Asquith who plays Napthali and the Butler in the show said: "It was great to be back in my home town working with the fabulous children from Stagecoach Dorchester & Weymouth.

“They were terrific fun, made a great sound and were totally professional."

Choir member Amy Lillington, 17, said: "Working on Joseph was a great experience and was an amazing opportunity to be involved in as a young performer.

“It was really fun being on stage and getting to work with such a fantastic cast. The hard work really paid off and is definitely an experience I'll never forget."

This is the third invitation Stagecoach has had from Bill Kenwright Ltd to join the tour.

They appeared in 2005 with Richard Swerrun as Joseph and again in 2006 when H from Steps took the lead role.

The choir is on stage throughout the musical providing backing vocals as well as singing their own number at the start of the second act.

Two members of staff chaperoning the students were members of the choir 10 years ago.

Stagecoach has been operating in Dorchester for 17 years and Weymouth for 10.

In that time, children attending the part time theatre schools have appeared in numerous TV series, films and commercials as well as West End sows, and touring productions of Shrek, The Sound of Music and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.