A POPULAR theatre company will present an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical when it returns to the stage this summer.

Durham Musical Theatre Company (DMTC) will present Sunset Boulevard at the Gala Theatre, Durham, from June 23 to 27.

The run offers a rare chance to see the hit musical, which Lloyd Webber considers his best work, performed by a grassroots group, as it has been released for amateur performance for one year only.

DMTC’s production will be the northern amateur premiere of the show.

Based on the Oscar-winning 1950 film of the same name, Sunset Boulevard features a reclusive former silent movie star who sees her chance to return to the screen in a struggling Hollywood writer and includes the hit songs Sunset Boulevard and The Perfect Year.

Directed by Fred Wharton with Steve Hood as musical director and Kathleen Knox as choreographer, the DMTC show stars Eileen Glenton as Norma Desmond and Graeme Walton as Joe Gillis.

There will be performances each evening from June 23 to 27 at 7.15pm, plus Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.15pm.

Tickets are priced £18.50 for adults, £16.50 for concessions for the Wednesday matinee only and £16.50 for all tickets for the Tuesday evening. To book, visit the Gala Theatre box office, call 03000-266-600 or go online to galadurham.co.uk