Ipswich to Première New Musical

It’s a co-production with Avalon Promotions and directed by Peter Rowe, the New Wolsey’s artistic director. The musical will feature a cast of 17 and gives an opportunity for seven local youngsters to taste stardom playing the children in the story.

The screenplay has been adapted by Steve Brown, who wrote the music for Spend, Spend, Spend (the story of pools winner Viv Nicholson). That went on to win two Olivier awards and an Evening Standard Award for Best New Musical when first staged in 1999.

A moving tale of redemption, it celebrates the value of an apparently “ordinary” life and the invisible influence of a decent man on the whole of his community. George Bailey grows up in the small American town of Bedford Falls, dreaming of adventure and escape, but every attempt to leave is thwarted by the responsibilities of everyday life. Brought to the brink of despair by a ruthless businessman, he is rescued by the most unlikely angel in the universe who shows him what life would have been like if he’d never been born.

The New Wolsey is holding open auditions for the children’s roles on Saturday 4 July. Girls will be auditioned from 10am (registration at 9.30am) and boys will be auditioned from 2.30pm (registration at 2pm). Those auditioning are advised to wear comfortable clothes and to be prepared to sing! Rehearsals will begin on 17 August and the production runs from 10 September to 3 October.