The atmosphere in a theatre was electric as children danced, sang and celebrated the true meaning of Chanukah.

Year 5 children from Clore Shalom Primary School in Shenley donned kippas, crowns and Greek armour to perform the Chanukah story of how the Macabees drove out the Greeks from Judea.

The play was written and directed by Year 5 teacher Bianca Revens and children were also involved in set design and lighting.

The Chanukah play is an annual school tradition, but this year Clore Shalom decided to open it up to other local primary schools in the area.

Pupils from Summerswood Primary School, St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Cowley Hill Primary School, Saffron Green Primary School and Monksmead School packed the Ark Theatre in Borehamwood to watch the performance.

The audience at the theatre in Thrift Farm Lane watched raptly as the story unfolded, before leaping out of their seats to join in the singing and dancing at the end of the show.

Audience member and parent Caroline Holman said: “The atmosphere was electric. Everyone in the audience was up and dancing and joining in, it was the most fantastic thing I’ve ever seen.”

Anna Roth, who leads Jewish studies at Clore Shalom, said: "The children put in a lot of effort and we are very proud of them.

"This was a very exiting way for us to help other schools facilitate the learning of RE, but it was also a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience performing in a theatre.

"It's also a great way to meet and build relationships with other local schools."

Riley Chalfen, who played priest and Macabee leader Mattityahu, said: “The performance went really well. It was a pretty amazing experience.

“We put five weeks of rehearsals into this and it was wonderful it went so well, I’ve really got the acting bug.”