'Star Wars' stage show is launched

A stage version of the Star Wars film series is being launched in the US later this year.

Star Wars: In Concert will open on October 1 at the Honda Center in California before heading off for a five-year world tour.

Reuters quotes Gregg Perloff, chief of Another Planet Touring, as saying: "It is the first time in 30 years that George Lucas, Lucasfilm and John Williams have authorised a show to go out. It's basically the 'greatest hits' of Star Wars, with a rock 'n' roll production."

The show will be narrated live by Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO in the films, and will feature a full orchestra and choir, plus special footage from the films displayed on a big screen.

Perloff continued: "If we can bring a new audience for this show... and then also attract what I would call a normal pop-sensibility audience that would say 'Wow, I didn't have any idea what an orchestra sounded like live', I would be just ecstatic."

After touring the States, the production will head over to Europe.