CHILDREN at Gaer Infant School staged the Lion King musical yesterday, complete with mechanical costumes and props, 35- piece orchestra and shadow puppetry.

The show began with a procession of all the animals, before parents were treated to the school’s version of the classic Disney story.

In the show, lion cub Simba has to deal with losing his father and defeat his treacherous uncle Scar.

It has been a hit in London, but now theatres have a rival in Newport.

Cerian Rolls, who put on the show, said: “The West End has got nothing on us.”

This evening the spectacle will be shown again, at 6pm, with Newport’s mayor also attendancding the performance.

Pupils from the Melford Road school will be singing in harmony and teachers promise a fantastic evening.