RENT, a landmark rock opera from the Nineties, is coming to Malvern Theatres with a special anniversary production.

A new production of the hit show, which was inspired by Puccini’s opera La Bohème, won four Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama back in 1996.

Rent went on to enjoy a Broadway run for 12 years.

A spokesman said: "Rent is about a group of bohemian artists who struggle to maintain their friendships and their non-conformist ideals in New York's East Village. "Facing their problems head on, they make personal self-discoveries and find what really matters most in life."

The show premiered in London’s West End in 1998 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, where it ran for 18 months; and it was adapted into a film in 2005.

The spokesman added: "The much-loved score features songs such as Seasons of Love, Take Me or Leave Me, One Song Glory, La Vie Bohème, Without You, I’ll Cover You, Out Tonight, I Should Tell You and the title song."

Director Bruce Guthrie said, “I am delighted to be working with a truly world-class creative team on this new production of Jonathan Larson's classic musical. "Our aim is to serve the fans of the show who have loved it so passionately since its ground-breaking premiere Off Broadway in 1996, while introducing it to a new generation of musical theatre fans."

He added: "We want to capture the essence of bohemian New York City at the height of the AIDS epidemic. It's a place of grime and excitement, where voices are fighting to be heard and the inhabitants are fighting to connect with one another, as well as fighting for their lives. The musical is a celebration of life and living in the moment. It's blood and bone, sweat and tears, laughter and joy, despair, hate and love, all in this one remarkable year shared by a group of friends. It is a privilege to be working on one of the great ‘moment’ musicals and to celebrate 20 years of Rent.”

Rent will come to Malvern Theatres from Tuesday November 22 to Saturday November 26.

Tickets are on sale at the Box Office 01684 892277 and online at malvern-theatres.co.uk