Corrie musical hits Manchester in March 2012

A musical of ITV soap Coronation Street will be brought to the stage in the show’s home of Manchester next year.
Street Of Dreams will play at the MEN Arena on March 21st and 22nd for a world premiere and will star a host of old, much-loved characters, as well as current ones.
Audiences will be treated to memorable scenes from the soap’s 51-year history, turned into musical format with singing and dancing.
For example, the song Norman Bates With A Briefcase will see Brian Capron reprise his role as serial killer Richard Hillman, while He’s My Man is about a fight between Elsie Tanner and Bet Lynch.
Julie Goodyear, who played the character of Bet Lynch, will also come back to the role – and the leopard skin – for the special stage show.
Other returning stars include Kevin Kennedy, who played Curly Watts, and William Roache, who has played Ken Barlow since 1960.
Life-long Corrie fan Paul O’Grady will narrate the musical.
“To relive [the soap’s history] alongside unforgettable characters and talent on the stage,” the comedian said, “revisiting such iconic scenes from across the years, is just brilliant. I can’t wait to watch it all come together and the reaction it receives.”
Dance routines will be choreographed by Olivier Award-winner Stephen Mear, while the music will be performed by a 25-piece orchestra. It has been written by Trisha Ward and has taken three years to develop.
Kieran Roberts, executive producer of the soap, said that he is “delighted” that O’Grady “will guide the audience through this entertaining and spectacular musical celebration of Britain’s best-loved drama”.
The show has been taken from last year’s album, Coronation Street – Rogues, Angels Heroes & Fools, which was recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and released to celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary.