Fifty years after it made its UK debut, Broadway classic West Side Story returns to the region in October, following its Sadler’s Wells run.

In the gangland New York reworking of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Tony, founder of the native Jets, falls in love with Maria, sister of the Puerto Rican Sharks’ leader. The two young lovers are swiftly caught up in a vicious battle between the opposing sides. The musical features a now-classic score with songs such as “America”, “Somewhere”, “Officer Krupke”, “I Feel Pretty”, “Tonight” and “Maria”.

West Side Story has a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. This 50th anniversary revival – directed by Joey McKneely and conducted by Donald Chan – is based on the original direction and choreography of Jerome Robbins from the 1957 Broadway premiere.

The musical was also famously made into a 1961 film, which starred Natalie Wood and won ten Oscars, including Best Picture. The stage version was revived in the West End in 1998/99, running first at the Prince Edward Theatre before transferring to the Prince of Wales.

This production opened in Paris in November last year and has also visited Tokyo and Beijing prior to its London dates.

West Side Story runs at the Lowry from Tuesday 30th September until Saturday 11th October.

Tickets are priced £23.00- £39.50 and booking is currently open.

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