His Excellency the Governor Thorold Masefield gave two-thumbs up to the Paget Primary school production of Disney's The Lion King.

The production included over 260 students and an incredible amount of community cooperation, including a custodian who slept at the school to protect equipment, Police who guided traffic while off-duty and a pregnant teacher who went out of her way to ensure "the show went on''.

Hundreds of parents, friends, community members and officials packed into the school's decorated gymnasium last week for the show.

Teachers and volunteers spent months transforming the blank gymnasium wall into 20-foot murals.

Paget Primary principal Wendell Smith called the production, "a real life story of how a village raises 262 children''.

"What an awesome force this community is when we come together,'' he said.

"When we put aside our differences of race, creed, colour and political persuasion and unite our efforts, the results can be truly inspiring,'' he added.

Governor Masefield and his wife, Jennifer, escorted by Aide-De-Campe Captain Marc Telemaque, were the honoured patrons for the production.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said: "The Governor told me he tremendously enjoyed it.

"He was impressed by the staging and the children -- all of whom were extremely enthusiastic.'' The key cast members have been practising during lunch hours and after school since September.

Capt. Telemaque said: "It was excellent -- the involvement of the entire school was a perfect example of effective leadership and dedication.

"That's what really exemplified it,'' he said.

Mr. Smith said clothing, training, and organising the 262 actors and actresses, was an accomplishment of teamwork.

"In my 18 years in education, it was the single most inspiring event I have ever had the fortune to be involved with.'' Director Leisa Smith said: "The Lion King is a story of a cub's journey through life. The students have learned lessons that will outfit them for their journeys.'' Stage manager Carolyn Davis said the arts was sometimes a victim of budget cuts in Bermuda's education history but this effort was a rejuvenation and prime example of how the arts can help.

"It is my belief that the arts are fundamental to human beings,'' she said.

"Academics and the arts -- one cannot exist without the other. Our children are multi-talented, spirited and eager to learn.

"They have most certainly demonstrated qualities that foster good character,'' she added.

Even businesses were happy to help out, as Mr. Smith discovered when he was shopping for a child's costume in True Reflections.

He explained to the store manager, Mrs. Young, the school was buying the outfit for a child of a low-income family.

Mr. Smith said: "She said, and I quote `Here Mr. Smith, have this. We'll be glad to donate to your cause'.'' And custodian Calvin Smith proposed to sleep at the school every night from Sunday to Thursday, the week before the show, because of all the expensive equipment assembled by Embassy Sound Crew.

"A lot of people don't know about this kind of thing happening in the community,'' said Mr. Smith.

"This on top of the cleaning duties he provided after the show and it should also be mentioned that his pink car served as a trucking firm.'' And opening night was not without incident, when a Primary Five student choked on a candy.

Mr. Smith said: "Just five minutes before the production began on opening night, a girl was sucking on a candy and it became lodged in her throat.'' A parent drove the girl to the hospital and waited for the little girl's parents to arrive.

"Such selflessness is heart-warming,'' said Mr. Smith, "When we all come together and unite for the betterment of our children, this is what happens.'' "I would like to thank people like Antionette Hollis -- the choreographer, who missed her children's races one weekend. She gave up practically all of her lunch hours, and some of her weekends,'' he said.