MUSIC Theatre Project (MTP) brought the West End to Cirencester this month, with their summer production of West Side Story, the infamous musical inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Playing to sell-out audiences at The Bingham Hall in Cirencester over three days, artistic director Maria Jagusz from MJUK and producer Iwan Lewis from Stage Smart, delivered to the stage the best young talent from Cirencester, the UK and even New York.

The professional West End production team, led by Director Kirk Jameson and musical director Isaac McCoullough ensured that standards were high.

Producer Iwan Lewis said: "I have been overwhelmed with the incredible response to West Side Story from the Cirencester community.

"The Bingham Hall was buzzing for all four performances. Having been a part of the first production of West Side Story at the Bingham Hall 10 years ago as a budding young actor, it is incredible to see how far this company has come in that time.

"The 18 months that I have been living here have proved to me what a wonderful arts community we have. The Music Theatre Project cast, crew and creative team have raised the bar once again, and Maria Jagusz and I look forward to continuing to develop young professional talent and provide the highest standards of theatrical entertainment to our amazing audiences.

"Watch out for ‘The Cirencester Christmas Spectacular’ coming this December, and the grand opening of the renovated Barn Theatre with its plans to be a full scale professional producing house when it opens in early 2017."