Model Jodie Kidd produces new musical about slavery

Model Jodie Kidd is turning theatre producer to bring a new musical set against the backdrop of the slave trade in Barbados to the London stage.

Kidd, who was born in Barbados, has teamed up with her father John to produce the show, which is titled Yarico and will premiere at new venue London Theatre Workshop in Chelsea next year.

The project – billed as an "epic new musical of forbidden love, betrayal and redemption" – has reportedly been ten year labour of love for Kidd and her father.

With music by James McConnell, lyrics by Paul Leigh and a book by Carl Miller (Emil and the Detectives), the show is based on the true story of a shipwrecked British man whose life was saved by islander Yarico, an "Amerindian beauty".

The story of Yarico was first recorded by Richard Ligon in his book True and Exact History of the Island of Barbados, published in 1657.

Yarico will run from 17 February to 14 March 2015. Further cast and creatives are still to be announced.