THE UK northern premiere of The Scarlet Pimpernel will be at Preston's Charter Theatre spinning a web of intrigue over the audience this week.

The Broadway smash hit is based on the best-seller by Baroness Orzy and through its various scenes captures the action of the French Revolution.

There will be a full size guillotine on stage reflecting some of the brutality. Stepping back in time to 1794, the musical is set against the terror of the revolution as thousands were sent to their deaths. It follows the life and loves of both French and English aristocrats and the poor.

Chauvelin, played by Andy Vitolo, is the baddie and he will be swashbuckling his way across the stage in a dramatic sword fight with the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Mr Vitolo said: "With swords and flashing blades lets hope nobody loses their heads, including the cast."

Lancashire based Imagine Productions are putting on the show with the combined talents of a theatre group from the Netherlands and people from Andrew Lloyd Webber's company.

Imagine Productions was created two years ago by Andy and Janet Thiel who between them have experience of musicals in the West End, touring and television.

Their musical director, Pete Faint has worked on everything from Miss Saigon to Joseph and make-up artist Andrea Dowdall will be applying her tricks to the cast, following her work on The Mummy for Universal pictures.

The orchestra has musicians from Mamma Mia and Lion King and will be providing the ambiance as projected images of revolutionary France are shown on a large stage screen.

Tickets are available on 258858 priced £13 and £11 the show runs until Saturday October 26.