THE HIGHLY-praised Opera North production of classic Broadway musical Carousel is returning to Leeds.

The new production of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's popular show was premiered in the city last year before embarking on a national tour.

The moving production is performed by a classically-trained cast and features the full musical power of the chorus and orchestra of Opera North.

Carousel includes some of the greatest music ever written for the stage, including If I Loved You, June Is Bustin' Out All Over and You'll Never Walk Alone.

It was voted the best musical of the 20th century by Time magazine, and stands alongside Rodgers and Hammerstein’s other hits The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Oklahoma! and The King and I.

A spokesman said: “Featuring stunning choreography, this electrifying staging of Carousel is an unmissable theatre highlight for 2015.”

Carousel is set in a tight-knit community on the New England coast of America, and revolves around the ill-fated affair between charismatic but troubled fairground barker Billy Bigelow and young mill-worker Julie Jordan.

When they fall in love after a chance meeting at the carnival, little do they realise that Billy’s rebellious ways will soon end in tragedy.

Fifteen years later, Billy is given one more chance to make things right with Julie and the daughter he never met, but is it too little too late?

Carousel is directed Jo Davies, with with set and costume design by Olivier Award winner Anthony Ward, whose productions include The King’s Speech, ENRON, Oklahoma! and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Liverpool-born baritone Keith Higham plays the carousel barker Billy Bigelow, Gillene Butterfield returns as Julie Jordan, and Yvonne Howard plays community leader Nettie.

The full Broadway score is recreated by more than 40 musicians from the critically-acclaimed Orchestra of Opera North, led by conductor James Holmes, with a chorus of more than 30 singers from leading northern theatre company Opera North.

On its premiere last year the production was described by the national press as exhilarating, totally charming and tremendously uplifting.

Carousel runs at the Grand Theatre, Leeds, from May 13 to 23. Visit leedsgrandtheatre.com or call 0844 8482700 to book tickets.