A singer who has been described as having the abilities to transcend genres and musical categories appears on the Isle of Man next week.

Alfie Boe, the star of many hit musicals and stage shows, along with a series of top selling albums, appears at the Villa Marina on Monday, July 8, from 7.30pm.

He is best known for his roles in such musicals as La Boheme, when he starred in Baz Luhrmann’s 2002 Broadway production, giving a powerhouse performance that earned him a Tony award and international fame.

He then went on to steal the show as Jean Valjean in the 25th anniversary concert performance of Les Miserables at the O2 Arena, repeating the roles in subsequent West End and on Broadway shows.

The singer is currently touring the UK in support of his latest album, ’As Time Goes By’, which is a collection of timeless and classic songs from the American songbook of the 1920s and 30s, such as ’The Way You Look Tonight’, ’As Time Goes By’, ’Minnie the Moocher and ’Stompin’ at the Savoy’.

’I remember a story my mother told me,’ said Alfie, explaining why he wanted to record classic American music.

’When she was pregnant with me she was watching a TV show and Gene Krupa came on and started the drum solo from Sing Sing Sing.

’She had a cup of tea on her tummy, and immediately she felt me kick and the tea went up in the air.

’She always told this story and it made me realise I was connected with music even before I was born.’

Tickets for the evening with Alfie Boe cost between £46 and £61.50, and are available from the Welcome Centre and the Villa Gaiety box office, on 600555, and online from villagaiety.com