Adrian Mole musical premiere on same day as theatre named after Sue Townsend

The premiere takes place this evening at the Curve Theatre Credit: ITV News Central

Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole the Musical is holding its world premiere in Leicester this evening.

The first performance takes place at 7pm tonight at the Curve Theatre. The Chief Executive of the theatre, Fiona Allan, said she was very excited for the first showing.

It is being launched on the same day the former Phoenix Arts Centre is renamed the Sue Townsend Theatre.

It is named as a tribute to the Leicester-born creator of Adrian Mole, who died in April last year following a short illness.

Sue Townsend died last year after a short illness Credit: Michael Crabtree/PA Archive/Press Association Images

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby will be at an event this afternoon to unveil a plaque and light up the new sign outside for the first time.

Sue Townsend began her writing career at the Phoenix in the larte1970s, and wrote her first play, Womberang, while she was there.

At the launch event, students from Leicester College will perform that play for an audience of invited guests.