MARTI Pellow will return to the West End stage as Andrew Lloyd Webber puts on new productions of the musicals Evita and Cats.

The singer will appear in the former as the narrator Che, a role he has already been performing in a touring version, when it opens at the Dominion Theatre in London in September. Madalena Alberto, who has co-starred with Pellow on tour, will play Eva Peron, the First Lady of Argentina.

Pellow, who shot to fame in Wet Wet Wet, has appeared in a number of West End productions including Chess, Chicago, Blood Brothers and The Witches of Eastwick. He has previously told of his passion for the stage, saying: "I like to learn. And musical theatre offers me that chance."

The story of Ms Peron's life - the tale of a girl from humble beginnings, who grew up to marry the president of her country, before dying of cancer at the age of 33 - was turned into a musical in 1976. Songs which went on to be huge hits include Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and Oh What A Circus.

Cats, which ran for 21 years before closing in 2002, will open at the Palladium and will run for 12 weeks from December, with the cast list to be announced next month. It will be based on Trevor Nunn's original production.