Paul: Strange Kind Of Hero, St Bartholomew’s Church, Brighton, until May 20

6:00am Thursday 10th May 2007

In the tradition of Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph And The Technicolour Dreamcoat comes this new musical from Brighton's Good Company Media.

Robin Cousins trades in his ice skates for the role of Saul, a violently antipathetic figure who famously saw the light on the road to Damascus, and later became St Paul.

"I was fascinated by this aggressive, driven individual," says writer and director Sue Pomeroy. "Almost like a latter-day terrorist, he would stamp out anyone with different religious beliefs. How extraordinary someone could have such an astonishing turnaround.

"I feel the story is very relevant at the moment, when you look at 9/11 and other big problems which have occurred as a result of religious fundamentalism. It's a very dramatic and moving story."

Pomeroy describes Saul's conversion to Christianity as an epiphany.

"He basically had a breakdown of everything he believed in," she says. "Life as he knew it crumbled away like dust and he had to reassess his life. The message was he was going in the wrong direction and he had to become a leader of a new religion. So he became one of the early students of the Way (Christianity). From hating the Way, he became one of its main proponents."

The story of one individual, Paul: Strange Kind Of Hero is ultimately about the triumph of love over evil.

Featuring rock, pop, orchestral music and mass choirs, the musical uses promenade performance to put the audience at the heart of the action.

"It's not an all-eyes-and-teeth musical," says Pomeroy. "This is the type of musical based in truth and real life, and it respects and enhances the special quality of the Church itself but also the whole Hebrew, Middle Eastern culture which Saul came from. It's joyous and uplifting, and reaches out and touches everyone. Paul is all things to all men - everyone can relate to him."

While costumes and production values are simple, the space itself and the lighting promise to be spectacular. Packed with more than 20 songs penned by Pomeroy and songwriter Chris Eaton, whose works have been recorded by the likes of Cliff Richard, Donna Summer and Janet Jackson, the cast includes Simona Armstrong, who took part in Andrew Lloyd Webber's TV search for a leading lady for The Sound Of Music, as well as dozens of people from the local community who were invited to audition for parts.

"After Brighton, we are planning a national and international tour," says Pomeroy. "It's a very exciting project and everyone involved believes it can be a life-changing experience."

• For review, see Tuesday's The Argus
• Times vary, £10-£20, 01273 709709

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