In Rahman I met someone who I believe could carry the torch of musical theatre into a new dimension

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Lloyd Webber has collaborated with film director Shekhar Kapur, the man behind the Elizabeth movie, as well as comedian Meera Syal and Bollywood soundtrack composer AR Rahman.

Rahman's music could be the key to the production's success, he said, because the composer was a "truly, truly melodic voice" who would go down well with UK audiences.

"In Rahman I met someone who I believe could carry the torch of musical theatre into a new dimension," he said.

"His music might give musical theatre in London the shot in the arm it needs at the moment."

Meera Syal has written the script

The show will tell the story of a Bollywood film director's daughter, played by Preeya Kalidas, 21, who has never appeared on a West End stage before.

Her character falls in love with a boy from the slums, played by Raza Jaffrey, who has appeared in Mamma Mia and TV soap EastEnders.

"I have always been fascinated by Bollywood," said Lord Lloyd-Webber.

He also hopes the show will help entice young and Asian audiences into the theatre, and will be having a Sunday matinee because Sunday is an important family day among the Asian community.

Goodness Gracious Me actress Syal has written the love story script, while Lloyd Webber's long-time collaborator Don Black has composed the lyrics.

The show opens at the London Apollo Victoria Theatre, which housed Starlight Express for 18 years, on 19 June.