THE incredible story of the world's first independent record producer, Joe Meek, is brought to life in a brand-new production written by Nick Moran.

Telstar is currently playing at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, running until Saturday.

Nick Moran, of Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels fame, takes us back to the iconic sounds of the 1960s, telling the incredible story of Joe Meek, whose explosive and bizarre life changed the world of popular music.

Telstar has an all-star cast including Con O'Neill (Blood Brothers and Ultimate Force) as Joe Meek, Linda Robson (Birds Of A Feather and The Vagina Monologues) as Violet Shenton and Adam Rickitt (Rent and Coronation Street) as Heinz.

With little resources, Meek built a tiny recording studio in North London where he set up the record company RGM.

In a 12-foot-square room, he produced three of the biggest-selling records of the period - Johnny Remember Me, Have I The Right and the self-penned Telstar.

Despite his creative genius, his volatile and argumentative manner, fuelled by an excessive amphetamine addiction, made him impossible to work with, and a strong belief in witchcraft induced claims that many of his tunes were written by Buddy Holly from beyond the grave.

Journey back to the wild times of Joe Meek, his momentous recording sessions, his spiralling career and his relationships with those closest to him.

Tickets, priced from £13, can be booked by calling 01483 440000.