WEST End and Broadway star Ruthie Henshall will make her first trip to Malvern when she stars in The Magnificent Musicals at Malvern Theatres.

The show, a string of hits from the musicals of stage and screen, is currently on a national tour, something Ruthie said she loves.

"I love it because it's a new experience," she said. "We're doing two or three dates a month, rather than a month and a half solid when every place sees to meld into one. "With this tour you get the chance to really look at where you are and remember where you've been."

The Magnificent Musicals features songs from shows such as Chicago, Oliver!, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and more. Ruthie said that singing the songs outside of the context of the show itself meant she could bring a new dimension to them.

"In a show you have to be a character. You're singing within a frame and with this everything is open to interpretation. There are so many brilliant songs and to not have to do it in the context of a show is a nice change."

The show also stars two more West End stars, Andrew Halliday and Tim Howar, Ruthie's partner. She said that it was great to be touring together.

"We're awfully lucky to have got to do this. It's rare that you get to work together in this business, I just get looked after enormously!"

The Magnificent Musicals is on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday June 28 at 7.30pm in the Forum Theatre. Tickets start at £19, available from 01684 892277.