With its dazzling displays and feelgood music, Starlight Express is one of the longest running musicals ih the theatre.

With its dazzling displays and feelgood music, Starlight Express is one of the longest running musicals ih the theatre.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber show is coming to Norwich Theatre Royal - not only as a theatrical spectacle but also an impressive technical feat.

Performances running from May 30 to June 24 were announced today, and a spokeswoman said this represented the theatre's continued commitment to first-rate productions.

Jane Walsh said: “We are pleased to be able to present another big musical following on from Cats and Miss Saigon.

“The support we had for these previous events was fantastic and it is this support that makes it possible for us to continue attracting great musicals to Norfolk.”

And she revealed the extent of the behind-the-scenes work that would be carried out to make the show possible.

“There will not be skating around the auditorium as with the West End show, because that would simply take too long to set up,” she said.

“But there is a lot of setting up to be done and a lot of hi-tech equipment will be in place, so much so that the first performance will take place 24 hours later than usual, to provide extra time.

“Our experiences with Miss Saigon, which included a spectacular helicopter effect, should stand us in good stead.”

Starlight Express opened at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in 1984 and the new and redesigned production began its first UK tour in November 2004.

It is a futuristic tale of the triumph of love and hope in the face of adversity, including 20 or so Andrew Lloyd Webber songs, along with roller-skating action.

During its 18 years in the West End, the show took £140m at the box office and achieved international success, with productions in the USA on Broadway, in Las Vegas and on tour in Japan, Australia and Germany.

Tickets are on sale now to Friends of the theatre; public booking opens on November 1. Contact the box office on 01603 630000.