A SPECTACULAR new tribute show which is set to make its debut in Blackburn later this month is already causing quite a stir.

When Diva Mix was announced at the Thwaites Empire Theatre, the demand for tickets was so great that a second show had to be arranged within days.

The show is the brainchild of Amy Toole, the driving force behind the successful Pop Up Princesses, who have become the ‘must-have’ party for little girls around East Lancashire.

“It’s a tribute show unlike any other,” said Amy. “It’s all about providing the best quality show possible but there’s also an educational aspect to it in a way. We want to introduce younger audiences to classic songs.”

Diva Mix is part Little Mix tribute - the four girls in the band look and sound uncannily like the members of currently one of the biggest girl bands in the world. But as well as featuring a host of Little Mix hits, the show also includes classic songs from divas ranging from Tina Turner and Diana Ross to Marilyn Monroe.

Amy realised that there was a gap in people’s musical knowledge when she was working as a dance teacher.

“I’d talk about songs and bands and some of the young people I had in the class didn’t have a clue who I was talking about,” she said. “But if there was a Little Mix song, everyone knew all the words, even the younger girls.

“That made me realise that we could do something special.”

All four members of Diva Mix have been chosen because of their abilities to sound like the best-selling girl band and because they also look like them.

“They are a great group of girls,” said Amy. “We went through a very arduous audition process because the girls had to be right, The four bring a variety of experience to the show. Cassie, who is Perrie, has worked in London’s West End in musical productions including Thriller and Fame. Alessandra, our Jesy, worked in Spain as part of a Beyonce show.

“Then we have Laura, who plays Jade, who has a great deal of experience on cruise ships and also gigs regularly, and Nicole, our Leigh-Anne, is getting her first professional appearance with us.”

Diva Mix have been in rehearsals for the past three months and the show features a specially-recorded soundtrack and fully-programmed light show.

“The girls will be singing live throughout the show,” said Amy, “and the dance routines are spectacular.”

Amy was delighted to be able to premiere the show at the Thwaites Empire Theatre.

“It has been like a second home to me,” she said. “I went to the Bernece School of Dance which is based there when I was younger and I took part in a number of pantos and shows there.” Now 28 and originally from Pleasington, Amy has always been involved in the entertainment business. She set up Pop Up Princesses - “originally it was just me in a dress,” she laughs - and now has 15 ‘princesses working around the North West.

“We regularly have 10 parties every weekend,” she said.

Amy has expanded her business to become Pop Up Princesses and Productions and Diva Mix is the latest exciting development.

“We would love to take Diva Mix on tour to theatres around the country,” she said. “It is a show for everyone and we can’t wait to open with it in Blackburn.”

Diva Mix, Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn, Sunday, May 21. Shows at 2pm and 6.30pm. Details from 01254 685500