A MUSICAL by the man behind one of theatre’s most talked about shows is celebrating its English amateur premiere in Bolton.

Horwich Amateur Theatre is the first non-professional theatre company to perform In The Heights.

The Tony Award winning musical is written by the critically acclaimed Lin-Manuel Miranda who created the smash hit Hamilton: An American Musical.

Horwich are the first to secure the rights to bring In The Heights to a local stage following the completion of its West End run this January. Lorraine Robinson who is co-choreographing the production with Gemma Marr, said: “We are very excited. We never thought we would get the rights which are held with Rodgers and Hammerstein. We emailed them on a whim and 24 hours later got a reply saying we could do it!

“This is one of the first musicals Lin-Manuel wrote and has been performed in America for a long time.

“There is a bit of pressure as other companies have also got the rights since we did, but we are the first to perform the show so they are all coming to watch and see how we do it.”

In The Heights will come to Bolton Little Theatre in Hanover Street from May 17 to 20. Demand has been so high the Friday and Saturday shows already sold out.

Set in a New York City Latino neighbourhood of Washington Heights, the story explores three days in the characters’ lives with a score of hip-hop, salsa, Merengue and soul music. A cast of 26, aged from 17 to in their 60’s, will perform.

Mrs Robinson adds: “We started rehearsals in early January, we have had a lot to plan.

“We used to perform at the Albert Halls but when they closed we struggled.

“We couldn’t afford to put a show on. Thankfully we got a £10,000 lottery grant to help us and build up our audience again.”

American actor, playwright and composer, Lin-Manuel not only created but also starred in Hamilton and In the Heights, which came to Broadway in 2008. Hamilton – a hip-hop musical about the life of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and the American revolution – has been hailed one of Broadway’s greatest success. Its cast also famously made a powerful plea to America’s Vice President-elect Mike Pence to protect the rights of all people in the country following the Presidential election.

Tickets for the Bolton show are priced at £10 and are available from www.boltonlittletheatre.co.uk.