FOLLOWING its successful production of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, Meighan Youth Theatre productions are presenting 'A Stroll Round the West End', a collection of past and present West End musicals.

Joe Meighan, 20, from Flixton, the company’s founder and artistic director, is using his break from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts to direct rehearsals in one frantic week.

He said: “The cast know their parts but they must learn the harmonies. It’s a mammoth task.”

Nevertheless, he hopes to guarantee audience enjoyment, especially with the accompaniment of a four piece band led by Johnny Gait, a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music

Joe, who aims to be another Cameron Mackintosh, said: “Our section from the new Disney film 'Frozen', soon to be made into a stage show, will appeal to the young ones.”

Joe said the greatest scenes would be from Miss Saigon with projections of the Vietnam War, and the Body Guard, as a tribute to Whitney Houston.

Extracts from Beauty and the Beast, Wicked, Jekyll and Hyde and Avenue Q will also be included.

“Every one of the 14-22-year-olds taking part will have a chance to shine,” he said.

The 24-strong cast are expecting a message of encouragement from MYT’s President, Shane Ritchie.

Joe’s worst kept secret is that he is directing Phantom for the Garrick from April 13-17, 2015.

*A Stroll round the West End is at Z-Arts, Stretford Road, Hulme, M15 5ZA at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, August 30.

For tickets, telephone 232 6089 or see z-arts.org.