A play about the Olympics will be performed before its cast travel to greet the Games' torch on its arrival in the UK, writes Nick Hitchens.

Olympus The Musical is set to make its debut at Fairfield Halls.

The huge community project, put together by Croydon Stagers Croydon Operatic and Dramatic Association and The Good Company Theatre company, includes 30 schoolchildren and performing arts pupils from Croydon College.

The play is the brainchild of Croydon residents Ian Rae and Christopher Chambers. Mr Rae is a composer and musical director living in Kenley, while Mr Chambers is a professional actor and producer and lives in Farleigh near Warlingham.

Morven Rae, a spokesperson for the production, says: "In this time of bad press for Croydon it’s great to see a large group from Croydon doing something new and worthwhile."

She adds that once the group finish in Croydon they face a race to get to Penzance in time for the arrival of the iconic Olympic torch.

The cast has been invited to sing "Carry The Torch at Rennen, near Lands End", on the flame's arrival, and then will be guests of honour at the civic reception hosted by the mayor at nearby Penzance.

The musical is very much in keeping with the combination of Britain's links with the ancient custom of the Olympics.

Audiences will be transported through time as a young British athlete preparing for the Olympics who is transported to Ancient Greece in a thunderstorm.

Mistaken for the god Hermes, he must help untangle a love triangle in a bid to prevent war between the cities of Athens and Sparta.

Organized as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stages project is a take on the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet.

Olympus The Musical runs in The Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Croydon, May 9 to 12. Tickets cost £10, 0208 688 9291.