CHARLES Randolph-Wright always knew that a musical telling the story about an iconic record label and its long-lasting impact would prove to be something special.

But even he admits that Motown: the Musical which is heading to Manchester for the first time has exceeded all expectations.

“From the day we started, we felt that it had an energy that was unstoppable,” said Charles who has directed the show both on Broadway and in London’s West End. “What we didn’t know was what that would turn into but we felt there was something unique.”

After more than 1,000 performances in London, Charles is now taking the show on the road. There have been a number of productions which have used the music of Motown but this is the definitive production as it has been written by Berry Gordy, the legendary figure who created a musical empire in Detroit which introduced the world to stars including Diana Ross, the Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.

“It seems as though every Motown artist has written a book and everybody has a different version,” said Charles. “What is really thrilling is to get the opportunity of working with Berry Gordy himself as he tells his story.”

Although packed with memorable hits, Motown: the Musical also gives an insight into the creation and development of Motown.

“This is Mr Gordy’s journey,” said Charles who has worked alongside the charismatic figure. Now approaching 90 he remains a formidable figure.

“It has been a thrilling experience,” said Charles. “He always says that competition breed champions and he loves for you to argue with him.

“If you can prove that something is better then he will agree with you - eventually. There were times when I’d be in the middle of trying to persuade him to change something and I’d suddenly think’ I’m arguing with Berry Gordy here’.

“He was one of my idols growing up then and the idea of working hand in hand with him was a dream come true.

“Now I understand why all of these tremendous artists came out of this one city, how all of these people on the Motown label happened because Berry Gordy pushed them in a way that they’d never been pushed.

“He believes in you so much that you don’t want to let him down. You jump over every hurdle for him. That happened with me and the show, that happened with every performer in the show and it happened decades ago with the Motown artists. It’s completely changed my life doing this.”

Charles said that he was particularly excited to be bringing the show to Manchester.

“There is actually a scene set in Manchester,” he said. “Without giving too much away it’s where Mr Gordy and Diana Ross have a huge argument and he threatens to quit the business. It’s a pivotal scene in the whole show.”

As director, Charles had to take Berry Gordy’s story and make it work for a theatre audience.

“I soon realised that you are dealing with two shows at once,” he said. “You are watching Berry Gordy’s journey but then I realised I had to leave room for the audience’s journey. When you hear a Motown song, it means something to you - it might be a song you had your first dance to or played at your wedding. The audience all need a little room to experience their own personal journey with Motown.

“Mr Gordy’s goal was to entertain and to entertain across boundaries and that’s something that Motown did and that Motown: the Musical also does. It’s bringing all types of different people together in the theatre.

“Some of them have never been to a theatre before and they are sitting next to people who gone to lots of show. They are taking that journey together. It’s not just music. You will learn something as you are entertained.”

As a theatre studies student Charles spent a year in London and from that point on has been a massive Anglophile.

“I’ve always had the feeling that England has been part of me,” he said. “I came of age when I was in London and it changed me. As a student we would go to watch two or three shows a week and I’d always notice the posters on the Tube. I remember saying ‘one day I’m going to have a poster up there’.

“When we were rehearsing the show for the West End I was heading home for the night and there they were, posters everywhere. It’s like I’d come full circle.

“That’s why it’s now so important for me to be taking this show on tour around the country.

“I always thought Motown was in my DNA but I’ve discovered that it’s in everyone’s DNA especially in the UK

Motown: the Musical, Manchester Opera House, Tuesday, February 26 to Saturday, March 23. Details from 0844 871 3018 or www.atgtickets.com