A cast of more than 100 pupils will perform at the Strand Theatre

Final preparations are being made for Ysgol y Strade's one-off performance of the musical Back to the 80s at the Strand Theatre next month.

Records suggest it is the first Welsh language show staged in the West End.

Tickets are selling well both among supporters back at home and Welsh speakers living in and near London.

We were so pleased with the performances at the Grand Theatre in February we thought why not give it a go Wynne Owen

The musical was translated into Welsh by teachers at the school for five performances at Swansea's Grand Theatre earlier in the year.

These proved so success they decided to take the show to the West End.

They wrote to West End impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh for advice.

Now the curtain will rise on the evening of 4 July in the 1,067 seat theatre.

The cast is made up of more than 100 pupils drawn from all years in the school.

Other youngsters are helping out behind the scenes.

Teacher Wynne Owen admitted it was a gamble for the school which is having to make sure it covers many of the costs.

Five performances at the Grand earlier this year were a big success

"We were so pleased with the performances at the Grand Theatre in February we thought why not give it a go," he said.

"It's a challenge logistically and financially. We have had a lot of support from the Wales in London Society and London Welsh. Tickets are selling well."

Mr Owen has checked with the Victoria and Albert Museum and according to its records Ysgol y Strade will chalk up two notable firsts.

"This will be the first Welsh language production in the West End and the first production by a school," he said.

"The pupils are really looking forward to it. We are having to work around external exams at the moment.

"Some of those doing their A-levels were due to go on holiday after their exams but have cancelled so they can take part."

The school has a long tradition of staging annual shows.

It put on a Welsh language production of Joseph at the 2000 National Eisteddfod which was held in Llanelli.