THE Sharks and The Jets will be out and about next week, as the international sell out hit “West Side Story” visits The Bristol Hippodrome from the January 28 to February 8.

“West Side Story” changed the course of musical theatre when it opened on Broadway in 1957 and it still remains one of the most successful stage shows of all time. The 1961 film version won ten Academy Awards. Based on Romeo and Juliet, “West Side Story” is set on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs; one white, the other Puerto Rican. When Tony falls in love with Maria, the sister of the rival gang’s leader, the feud takes on a new dimension, and as their love blossoms so begins a fatal journey overshadowed by violence and hatred. The score includes the unforgettable songs ‘Maria’, ‘Tonight’, ‘Somewhere’, ‘America’ and ‘I Feel Pretty’.

Leading the cast will be Katie Hall as ‘Maria’, Louis Maskell as ‘Tony’, Djalenga Scott as ‘Anita’ and Jack Wilcox as ‘Riff’.

Katie Hall was most recently seen as ‘Christine’ in the national tour of “The Phantom of the Opera”. She was a boot camp contestant for the BBC1’s search for ‘Nancy’ in “I’d Do Anything” and was a final round contender for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for the Eurovision entry, “Your Country Needs You”.

This production is directed and choreographed by Joey McKneely using the full original Jerome Robbins choreography.

For ticket details and more informatiom, please visit www.westsidestorytheshow.co.uk