Bob Marley: the musical!

We've already had shows inspired by Abba, Queen, and Elvis - not to mention the Pet Shop Boys, Boy George and the Rat Pack.

Now the back-catalogue of reggae superstar Bob Marley is set to hit the West End stage.

Producer David Ian - who is part of the team behind the West End's new hit The Producers - revealed he has just this week clinched a deal to use Marley's oeuvre as the basis for a new big-budget show.

He said: "I'm not aware that there has ever been a musical using reggae before, even though it is so hugely popular.

"Marley is still an icon around the world - and I'm a big fan myself, which is a good reason to do the show too. I think a lot of his lyrics and ideas would really service the idea of a musical."

The still-untitled show could open in 2006, depending on availability of West End theatres.

Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, and Marley's widow Rita have both signed up to Mr Ian's plan for reggae's stage debut.

Mr Ian said: "Now we are going to get on with thinking about storylines and writers. We don't anticipate that the show will be a life story of Bob Marley, but it is incredibly early."

Robert Nesta Marley died in 1981 at the age of 36. Doctors had diagnosed cancer but the singer refused an operation because it was against his Rastafarian beliefs.

Marley left an enormous musical legacy that still drives millions of record sales every year. The production will have access to Marley classics including Get Up Stand Up, I Shot The Sheriff, No Woman No Cry and Exodus.

Mr Ian, who runs the British theatrical division of US entertainment company Clear Channel, has also secured the rights to transfer the hit broadway musical Hairspray to London.

Based on John Water's super-kitsch 1988 film, it follows the fortunes of young Baltimore girl Tracy Turnblad. Set in the Sixties, the show tackles racism and has been one of Broadway's most successful shows in recent years. It will open here next year at the earliest, said Mr Ian.