Holy big smoke! Batman comes to the O2

The O2 is in for a Dark Knight at the height of summer when Batman Live, a £6million theatrical action arena show starring the superhero, swoops in for 18 performances.

The show is a mix of visual spectacle and performance art, with pyrotechnics, stunts and video screens. The 45 roles are filled by circus acrobats and trapeze artists as well as actors.

In addition to the Caped Crusader, Batman Live features Robin and the dynamic duo's enemies, The Joker, Catwoman, The Penguin and The Riddler. The show, coming to London next August and September, will be lighter in tone and more family-friendly than the films directed by Christopher Nolan, the most recent of which, 2008's The Dark Knight, was the most successful superhero film ever.

The show, which will premiere with a UK tour before being staged in the US, was unveiled at DC Comics in Manhattan. Executive producer Nick Grace, who conceived the show and is collaborating with Warner Brothers and DC Comics to stage it, said: "It's very fast-moving and visually exciting. Every picture will tell you a story.

"There's very little dialogue. It's the perfect environment for a Batman live show. We will give people a spectacular event." Batman began life at DC Comics in 1939. Jim Lee, co-publisher at the company, said: "This is the first time we've used the artwork for a live action show like this. It really pays off on the proposition of what this character is about - a regular person but with $1 billion and really cool gadgets."

Unlike in the films, there will be no Christian Bale, George Clooney or Michael Keaton behind the Batman mask. Mr Grace said: "The star of the show is Batman."

Tickets go on sale this Friday for Batman Live at the O2, from August 24 to September 4 next year.