THE original set of one of the largest and most spectacular shows ever staged will be transported to the Birmingham Hippodrome for a production of Miss Saigon.

The musical is set in 1975 during the days leading up to the American evacuation of Saigon and tells the love story of an American GI and a young Vietnamese woman.

Miss Saigon will run from May to September next year and is a highlight of the 2003 programme.

Other highlights include The Mysteries, a retelling of the Bible story by a cast of more than 40 young South African singers in February and three operas by the Welsh National Opera in March.

Musicals include Buddy in March and The Rocky Horror Show starring Jonathan Wilkes in April.

April also sees productions of The Nutcracker and Carmen open at the Hippodrome.