ONE of the most spectacular live shows ever attempted will receive its world premiere in Manchester from July 19 to 24 bringing one of the great comic book heroes to life.

Batman Live has been three years in the making and will open at the MEN Arena before embarking on an arena tour around the UK and then heading across the Atlantic to play in America in 2012.

This all-action family show will feature Batman and Robin take on some of their most infamous opponents such as The Joker, Catwoman and The Riddler.

Batman Live features an original story created for the show with some of the world’s finest circus and stunt performers combining in dramatic live action sequences.

There will be a 100-foot video wall featuring new artwork inspired by the DC Lee comics which launched the Caped Crusader and it will take over 20 articulated lorries to transport the stage setting from one venue to another.

The team behind the show has worked on some of the most memorable live productions in recent years.

Award-winning creative director Anthony Van Laast said: “Nothing has ever been done quite like this before, making it into an epic piece of live theatre.”

Technical director Jake Berry has been responsible for U2’s record-breaking 360 world tour and was also behind the Walking With Dinosaurs arena show, while lighting director Patrick Woodruffe has worked with some of the world’s major artists including the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and also the World Cup celebration concert in South Africa last year.

He said: “Batman Live is at the forefront of a new entertainment genre taking something that would work really well in the theatre and making that a big arena show.”

The whole comic world of Gotham City complete with its dark streets and tower skyscrapers will be lovingly recreated for the show and, of course, Batman will drive his famous Batmobile.

Set designer Es Deslin, the woman who brought the animatronic elephant to Take That’s Circus tour is determined to make the production a memorable experience, advising anyone snapping up tickets to get to the show early.

She said: “The audience walk in and you’ve got this whole pre-show that goes on for 25 minutes.

“You walk into the chaos of Gotham, the Bat signal, this whole soundscape. There’s none of this standing around eating your chips.”

Although a family show, Batman Live is not recommended for children under six.

* Batman Live is at the MEN Arena in Manchester from Tuesday, July 19 to Sunday, July 24. Tickets cost £20 to £35. To book, call 0844 847 8000 or visit men-arena.com.