JOHN BURLAND reviews 'Starlight Express' at The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, until September 8

One of the longest running musicals in British theatre history, Starlight Express' opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre in March 1984, where it played to more than eight million people until its final performance in January 2002.

Specially redesigned for a new generation of audiences by members of the original creative team, this brand new production currently playing at The Alhambra in Bradford is like nothing you've ever seen before.

Fusing state-of-the-art technology (including 3-D vision) with an electrifying soundtrack and all-new dazzling sets and choreography this is a theatrical journey you will never forget.

Light years ahead of the rest, this futuristic tale of love and hope in the face of adversity is the guaranteed trip of a lifetime; two hours of speed, spectacle, energy and turbo-charged excitement.

Before anyone joins the cast of the show, they have over a month's intensive training at skate school where they are trained in the art of roller-skating and the results of this have to be seen to be believed.

I was totally blown away by the sheer speed and the choreography involved.

How anyone can dance on roller-skates or roller blades I find incomprehensible and yet this brilliant cast do it for over two hours.

If you get to see no other show this year, make sure you go along to Starlight Express'. You will not be disappointed.