Many famous faces have walked through the doors of the Theatre Royal Brighton - and tomorrow the Queen will visit the Regency building for a second time.

She last visited in the Sixties but chief executive Julien Boast says the theatre has vastly improved since then.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, will arrive at 10.15am and tour the building before watching a performance to mark the theatre's 200th anniversary.

Brighton and Hove music and performing arts students will play songs from the past 200 years and will be joined by US songstress Carleen Anderson for two of the ensembles.

Carleen has special ties with Brighton and is performing at the request of Mr Boast, who is a fan of her music.

The singer has performed with The Young Disciples, the Brand New Heavies and Massive Attack to name but a few and is also the goddaughter of the late James Brown.

Five years ago she started teaching at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) where she was put in charge of the vocal department, helping to nurture the young talent passing through the academy's doors.

She said: "Put it this way - I won't have slept much for the past few days and certainly not the night before.

"I'm really nervous but excited at the same time. I've never done anything like it before and I've never sung for the Queen. Artistically, it's a great event and culturally it's a great opportunity."

Organiser Mr Boast said: "She is an amazing singer who has collaborated with some very famous people.

"Her strong association with Sussex and her work with BIMM also made her the ideal choice for the day and we are delighted she has taken time out of her busy schedule to come and do this for us.

"It will also be a great experience for the young students to perform with someone who is incredibly talented and successful."

The theatre will be filled with local dignitaries and schoolchildren who have been given the morning off to join in the celebrations and Mr Boast said the Queen and Prince Philip would have a good view of the performance.

Mr Boast said New Road should also be presentable for the visit and people have been washing colonnades and painting walls ready for the big day.

The Timetable

10.15am - The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will tour the Theatre Royal in New Street before watching a special performance to mark the 200th anniversary of the theatre. Afterwards the Royal couple will watch a bicycle ballet demonstration in New Road from the theatre's balcony.

11.10am - The Duke of Edinburgh will go on foot to the Pavilion Theatre where he will tour the building and meet Arts Awards representatives and watch a trapeze workshop.

11.15am - The Queen will arrive at the Jubilee Library in Jubilee Street where she will visit the children's library and watch a baby boogie session.

2.45pm - The Queen will visit the Roundabout Children's Centre in Whitehawk Road and visit the nursery and family room before continuing to the reception area to officially open the centre.

2.45pm - The Duke of Edinburgh will visit The Crew Club in Coolham Drive, Whitehawk, a clubhouse for young people living in the area. He will tour the facilities before officially unveiling a plaque.

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