Fame the Musical returns to Liverpool

Touring productions of Fame seem to have become a favourite on the North West stage over the last couple of years, and here's another. "An exciting new production that has been bought up to date and into the 21st century", apparently, stops off with us at the Empire next year, courtesy of our own Bill Kenwright."This exhilarating new show will take you on a hi-octane roller coaster ride through dizzy heights and crashing lows as a group of star-struck wannabes embark on their quest for the ultimate accolade – fame," it says. So maybe they're toning down the legwarmers and perms and making it a bit more X Factor, or whatever the kids are into these days.Set in the world famous High School for Performing Arts New York, young talented hopefuls undertake the journey of their lives. Ambition, triumph, heartbreak and romance conspire to steer them off course, and the pressure is too much for some....The song and dance routines have been "re-envisioned for 2014" (they keep stressing this for some reason). Fame - the Musical has enjoyed seven West End runs since premiering in the USA in 1988, and continues to be performed all over the world (quite obviously).Sticking with its promise of being a musical for a new generation, this production will feature a young, energetic cast fresh from drama school. At the helm is award-winning director-choreographer Gary Lloyd, whose credits include Thriller Live, 20th Century Boy, Flash Mob and The Story of Mark Bolan.Catch it at the Empire from April 14 to 19.