Music maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber paid a surprise visit to Norwich on Wednesday night for an unannounced trip to the Theatre Royal to watch The Sound of Music.

Only a handful of staff at the theatre were aware that Lord Lloyd Webber, who has produced the touring show, would be attending the matinee performance.

'The cast had no idea that I'd be visiting, but I was really keen to catch a performance and it would have spoilt it if they'd known I was coming,' he said.

'It was fantastic. Absolutely terrific – almost as good as the look on the cast's faces when they realised that I'd been watching them!'

The stalls were alive with the sound of excited chatter as audience members spotted Lord Lloyd Webber amongst their number for yesterday's performance.

'I think a few people did clock the fact that I was there, but I did try and keep out of the way because I didn't want to let the cat out of the bag,' he said.

The Sound of Music, starring Verity Rushworth and Michael Praed, is at the Theatre Royal until Saturday. Call the box office on 01603 630000 for details.

For a full interview with Andrew Lloyd Webber, see Friday's EDP.