NORTH-EAST audiences are about to go pie-eyed as Greggs The Musical makes its debut.

Two years after a sell-out season at Edinburgh's Fringe Festival, the tribute to Newcastle's sausage rolls and pie bakery is booked to play Tyneside's Live Theatre on Thursday and Friday.

Edinburgh comic and co-creator Jill Peacock said: "We're really nervous about bringing the musical to Newcastle, especially as we originally thought that Greggs was a Scottish company. Greggs have been wonderful and supply all the edible props, allowed us to use the tabards and supported the whole project.

The four performers - Jill, Australian co-writer Edwina Lunn and Scots Susanne Fraser and Katrina Bryan - said they were addicted to eating at Greggs after coming up with a script where fictional Mr Greggs is like the mysterious unseen boss of Charlie's Angels, giving his shop counter staff a daily mission.

Graham Randell, managing director of Greggs North-East and Cumbria, said: "We know we have made it when someone writes a show about us. The people have spoken."

Greggs is the UK's biggest sandwich, savoury and bakery retailer, with 109 North-East stores and more than 1,000 nationwide.

Shows start at 8pm. To book, call 0191-232 1232.

Published: 03/05/2004