Culture Secretary Maria Miller said she was "immensely impressed" by what she saw during a visit to Leicester to find out more about its bid to become UK City of Culture 2017.
The Tory Cabinet minister is visiting all four of the areas which have been shortlisted for the Government-run contest. Today she made her first stop in Leicester before trips to rivals Dundee, Hull and Swansea Bay.
Ms Miller was given a tour of the city's flagship Curve theatre, where she watched the opening scenes of the upcoming Sweeney Todd musical, being rehearsed.
She also toured the Richard III visitor centre at the Guildhall and met members of the consortium behind the city's bid.
She told the Mercury: "How can you fail to be amazed by a place like Curve?
"The Sweeney Todd performers were brilliant.
"If Leicester was to become the next UK City of Culture it would be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the investment that has already gone into the city."
Ms Miller confirmed that she would play no part herself in determining which city would succeed Londonderry - the current UK City of Culture.
The decision will be made by an independent panel of judges.
She also confirmed the winning city could expect no Government financial support to stage a year long programme of events in 2017.
She said: "I have looked at Leicester's initial bid and an impressive part of it is how it is using alliances with universities and other partners to attract funding.
"In other times it would be very easy to make money part of the package but times are difficult .
"The winning city can expect great rewards to the local economy as a result of increased tourism and visitors as well as raising the profile of the city."
Each bidding city has been told by the Government to expect to have to spend £10 million of public money on its 2017 cultural programme.
Some money will come from the Arts Council and Lottery cash but city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby. has agreed to underwrite the cost.
Curve chief executive Fiona Allan, who sits on the bidding consortium, said: "We were pleased to welcome Maria Miller, to the city and to Curve and to Leicester
Her visit gave us the opportunity to introduce her to one of the UK's foremost producing theatres, and to demonstrate the vital role regional theatres play in their support of the local communities they serve."
Ms Miller said she was looking forward to visiting the other contending cities but slipped up during a radio interview by mistaking Dundee for Durham - which has not entered the competition.
Each city will submit its final bid in September and the winner will be announced in November.
