Sharing the role of Chip in Watford Operatic Society’s production of Beauty and the Beast has proved the beginning of a good friendship for seven-year-old Archie Stevens and nine-year-old Anthony Duncan and for their mums too.

The families have discovered they attend the same church and Archie attends the adjacent school, Sacred Heart in Bushey. He is a member of Sharpe Academy of Theatre Arts, which has schools in Harrow and Stanmore, and recently played Gavroche in the school’s version Les Miserables at The Watersmeet alongside his older sister Milly, who played Cosette.

Although he has done shows before, this will be Archie’s first time working with adult performers. The audition was tough with 12 others vying for the part but he loves being in the show.

“My favourite bit is the battle scene when Mrs Potts pushes me on in the teapot and I shout charge,” says Archie.

Anthony, meanwhile, has no previous theatrical experience but was encouraged to audition by Bobby Chatt from Moonglow Dance Studio in Watford, who is taking the lead in the show as Belle.

“I had just started at Moonglow and my teacher, Bobby said she thought I would be good as Chip,” says Anthony. “I’ve never done anything like this before, but I thought it would be fun.”

Now with between two and three rehearsals a week, the pressure is on, but with experienced director Alan Cox at the helm things should go smoothly for the society’s first ever Disney musical.

Mindful of the demands of the show, Alan had his cast walking around in cardboard boxes to get used to the constraints of their costumes.

“It’s not easy playing with enchanted objects,” observes Alan. “They’ve been raiding local supermarkets for boxes and stapling them together to make replicas of their outfits for rehearsal. I was adamant they get the boxes on as soon as possible and everyone got the giggles at first but it’s given them the right feel for the characters and the size of the costumes.”

Archie and Anthony meanwhile have an office chair to whizz about on to get into character and Alan has been very impressed by his two young stars.

“These two young boys really shone out, they’ve got natural charisma, charm and the loveable cute factor we were looking for. They’ve forged a bond of friendship and their mums get on well and are as excited as the lads themselves. Having supportive parents is very important to the success of a show.”

The cast, which also features Matthew Gregory as The Beast and Julie Lilley as Mrs Potts, will be singing in The Harlequin Shopping Centre, outside John Lewis this Saturday afternoon.

Beauty and the Beast performed by the Watford Operatic Society is at Watford Palace Theatre from May 10 to 15. Details: 01923 225671