STAGESTRUCK youngsters are treading the boards with more seasoned professionals as the curtain goes up on a much-loved musical.

Aspiring performers from Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools in the North-East are rubbing shoulders with some familiar faces in the cast of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber classic Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, at the Theatre Royal, in Newcastle.

The lead role is played by Ian ‘H’ Watkins, who is stepping back to his stage roots, having made his name in the pop world.

He was part of the top-selling five-piece vocal group Steps, which reeled off a string of top ten hits in the 1990s.

Following a successful Steps reunion album and tour two years ago, ‘H’, as he is best known, a graduate of The Royal Academy of Music, is now happy to return to the stage.

“It was great to get back together and the success took us by surprise, so it’s something we may look to do again, but this year is something of a sabbatical," he said.

“We’ve kept the door open. We are talking about doing it again, but, in the meantime, my heart will always lie in musical theatre.”

The high-spot of the show for ‘H’ is his solo number Close Every Door, one of many well-known songs in the ‘Joseph’ score.

Backing vocals are provided by the choir made up from Stagecoach schools in Sunderland and Newcastle, who will appear in every show during the two-week run, ending on Saturday August 3.

Tickets cost £14 and can be booked on-line via www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the box office, on 0191-244 2518.