A hit West End musical is about to take to the stage in the Far East - after the props were given a 'passport' by a Bradford firm.

Chicago has already won critical acclaim and attracted big box office takings in London and the United States. Now a version of the show, starring former Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow, is being taken to Korea and Japan.

But all 3,700 items needed to stage the spectacular performance, which has a 23-strong cast, require their own 'passport' to meet Customs and Excise requirements.

Bradford-based Chamber Management Services, an export support company, has stepped in to ensure the show will go on.

CMS, based at the Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Little Germany, provided the ATA Carnet documents for the lighting rigs, sound systems, stage sets and costumes.

The documents will allow free transit of the goods throughout the ten-week sell-out tour.

Today, the musical's production manager, Mike Devaney, said CMS's support had allowed him to focus on perfecting the production itself.

"I have had sleepless nights, cold sweats and numerous phone conversations with Teresa (McCabe), my main contact at CMS," he said.

"I know that if the list is wrong or incomplete, the subsequent delay would shorten rehearsal time.

"Teresa and her colleagues gave a professional service, even working evenings and weekends until the carnet was completed."

Mrs McCabe, who has been issuing carnets at the chamber for more than 30 years, said she was already warming-up for her next Oscar-winning performance. The team behind Chicago will soon be preparing to take the hit musical Grease on the road - and CMS is expecting to play a leading role again. "I have provided paperwork for engineering companies taking machinery to exhibitions, companies taking motorbikes to races, and organisations taking horses to shows, but this has been the most challenging so far," she said.