Legendary theatre impresario and composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber paid a surprise visit to the Gaiety Theatre during a whistlestop tour of the island.

He was flying back to England from Ireland in his private jet on Wednesday and decided to stop off in the Isle of Man to take a look round.

It came as the theatre is looking forward this summer to staging Taylorian’s production of Joseph, for which of course Lord Lloyd-Webber wrote the music.

Gaiety Theatre manager Seamus Shea showed him round the auditorium, stalls and under-stage of Frank Matcham’s masterpiece.

He also had time to take him to the Royal Hall at the Villa Marina.

Mr Shea said: ’His people called at 2pm and he was here at 2.05pm!

’He was only in the island for four hours. He had never been before. I was a little tongue-tied and too star-struck to take pictures!

’Obviously he had heard a lot about the Gaiety. He loved it. He’s a fairly guarded man but he was open and level

’It was all very simple. He had nothing in mind about any production, he was just passing through and wanted to take a look round.’