VIOLIN virtuoso and orchestra director Andy Long had a flash of inspiration for his latest show.

While watching Starlight Express in the West End the Astley maestro realised he could create the same excitement for his Amethyst Light Orchestra performances.

This weekend the top class musician aims to pack a purple punch to thrill audiences with an "Escape to Happiness" on Sunday.

Costume, special lighting techniques and smoke effects will give an added dimension to the concert at the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse.

Although classically trained at the Royal Northern School of Music, Andy has always loved the music of Mantovani, Victor Sylvester and Max Jaffa, and performs wearing a pair of Jaffa's cufflinks for inspiration .

Andy, of Lee Fold, was given the antique amber links as a wedding gift by Joyce Mills, wife of Eric Mills, Jaffa's band leader, when he married wife Zoe.

Recapture

In 1999 he became a co-founder of the MLO, Manchester Light Orchestra, a group of professional musicians brought together to recapture the style of a golden era of melody.

The combined talents of the players who recently changed their name to the Amethyst is awesome. They have worked with the finest artists in show business including Pavarotti, Shirley Bassey and Kiri Te Kanawa, Tom Jones, Lisa Stansfield and The Moody Blues, and all play with top international orchestras.

They will be backing Pavarotti again when he appears for three nights in Manchester in June.

The new show, which starts at 7.30pm, will feature a selection from Oklahoma, Thrills Waltz, Calling All Workers and Violin Solos.

Over the past 10 years Andy has been a busy recitalist and has recorded a solo CD. As well as being a co-founder of the Amethyst and director and leader of other top orchestras he still finds time to enjoy his teaching commitments.

Having taught privately for Lord Yehudi Menuhin he developed his own studio and was a teacher at Chethams School of Music for a decade. He now takes private students at all levels

Tickets are available from the box office or on the door.