Red Shoes dance studios in York doesn’t reach its 20th anniversary until 2014 but isn’t waiting to start the celebrations.

Director Sandra Watson opted to press ahead with their most ambitious production yet this year. The show at the Grand Opera House features not only a cast of 170 young dancers but also a “guest appearance” by a pony.

“Our anniversary is next year but I thought let’s do it while we can. In the school I’ve got these particular children that can take these parts. I thought let’s do it while we can get such a good team together,” says Sandra.

“It’s an expensive production but we’ve been saving up and fund-raising for the event. I am very lucky because a lot of teachers have struggled in the economic climate but my parents are very supportive.”

The production of Peter Pan & Wendy, based on J M Barrie’s classic novel, is being staged with the help of a professional team of theatre technicians including lighting designer an operator Sara Byrne, who has worked on tours for the likes of Michael McIntyre and Jack Dee.

“This is our most ambitious production but we’ve got a lot of help for lighting, sets and so on from professionals. We really are lucky to have these people because there’s so much in the show,” says Sandra.

“We have had to hire the theatre for two extra days because it’s such an ambitious event. The theatre has been really great about us getting in for the extra time. We’re lucky the staff are so good to us because there’s nowhere else we can put on a show with so many children.”

The company has had to hire professional chaperones for some of the children and will be paying royalties to the estate of J M Barrie, who bequeathed the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

As well as the production of Peter & Wendy, a special Saturday matinee show of Tinkerbell’s Tale features the school’s youngest performers.

Isobel Hitchon-Godfrey, 12, is playing Peter Pan and Evie Jackson, 14, is Wendy. Tinkerbell is being played by six-year-old Mia Abella.

Sparkles the Shetland pony will make a guest appearance. “The children love working with him so it’s quite magical to watch them,” says Sandra.

Peter Pan & Wendy is being staged at the Grand Opera House on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27 at 1.30pm and 7pm.

Tinkerbell’s Tale, featuring the school’s youngest dancers, is being presented on Saturday April 27 at 11am.

Tickets from the box office on 0844-8713024 and online atgtickets.com/york